Durham & Cleveland LTA, together with 250 members, players, friends and parents, celebrated it’s 7th Annual Awards Evening at the magnificent banqueting hall at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland Football Club. The County Executive was delighted to welcome as their guest, Mr Bob Battersby, Acting LTA Deputy President, seen here with Anne Clayton, LTA Councillor and John Schofield, County President. He spoke of the background to the new awards scheme and stressed the importance of volunteers, particularly those being honoured that evening, in keeping our game alive and in good health. He was greatly impressed by the huge support for the awards evening and congratulated the organisers on a magnificent event. He then continued by presenting the awards as follows:
Aegon Coach of the Year Anne Clayton
Young Volunteer of the year John Heppell
Volunteer of the Year Wendy Glasper
Highland Spring Club of the Year Yarm tennis Club
Education Award Richard Avenue Primary School, Sunderland
Disability Venue Award Everyone Active, Sunderland
Outstanding Achievement Award John Schofield
All the above winners of the county awards will go forward for consideration in the LTA Regional Awards scheme, and if successful there, will go forward for possible LTA National Award.
An award too late to be recognised at the 2015 Awards Evening, was the very prestigious LTA Meritorious Service Award presented to Viv Wilson for her 20 years of outstanding service to the county. Those present applauded Viv for such dedicated service to the game of tennis.
From a county only scheme, the following nominations from clubs resulted in Harry & David Thomas Meritorious Awards being presented to the following for many years of dedicated service to their club and tennis in general. Each received a framed certificate and a cheque for £100 to spent as they wish at their club.
Viv McFarquhar - Boldon TC
Irene McBride - Wellfield TC
Phil Atess - Shotley & Benfieldside TC
Pam Dodds - Hutton Rudby TC
Richard Farrar - Yarm TC
The County also made awards to juniors who had shown continued commitment and endeavour during 2015 as follows:
Playsport Trophy
U14 Girl - Cheri Darley
U14 Boy - Harry Cookson
Oliver Wrightson Award
U18 Girl - Beth Laybourne
U18 Boy - Callum Todd
All four received a cheque for £50.
The David Thomas Memorial Trophy, County Schools Competition 2016, organised by Helen Weston, in conjunction with the County Schools Association, run in 3 age groups was won as follows:
U13 Girls - Yarm School
U13 Boys - Yarm School
U15 Girls - Yarm School
U15 Boys - Durham Johnston School
U19 Girls - Barnard Castle
U19 Boys - Durham Johnston School
Each team received a cheque for £100 to be used on tennis equipment.
On closing the evening, the County President thanked the Stadium of Light for their hospitality and excellent buffet provided during the interval, Bob Battersby for being our guest for the evening, and Pat Ross, Christine Heppell, Ashleigh Baines, Hannah (County Administrator) and Nick Clark our official photographer for the evening.
A special thank you went to the chief organiser of the event, Anne Clayton who was congratulated on a most successful evening. Bob Battersby was presented with Honorary County Colours by way of our County Tie in appreciation of his time with us.