Rick Britton, who has headed up the volunteers at all the disability tennis events held in Nottingham for the past 17 years, also received the Lord Aberdare Award for his services to tennis. His volunteer work was introduced to a select gathering at the Army & Navy Club in St James by Wimbledon winner Christine Janes and cricketer Mike Denness.
Rick was nominated for this prestigious award by the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust. Rick has worked tirelessly with tennis events held at the Nottingham Tennis Centre on behalf of the LTA, The Tennis Foundation and the Dan Maskell Trust. The Dan Maskell Trust wanted, in particular, to acknowledge Rick’s work as Head of Volunteers at all the Disability Tennis events. Included in these events are the British Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships, three World Team Cups, two British Open Deaf Championships and the annual Notts Indoor Wheelchair Tennis Tournament. Many of these tournaments attract 100s of players which is a logistical challenge but Rick is always there to cope with whatever arises.
Each year, Rick recruits and heads up a wonderful team of volunteers and it is a testament to his leadership that they all return year after year. Without Rick and his team, many of the events simply could not have taken place. His energy, drive, commitment and organisation are remarkable and it is nothing for him to rise at 4 am to drive to the airport to collect overseas players and to be still working at 11 pm clearing and preparing the courts each night and morning as well as during the day.
The Trust describes Rick as a volunteer par excellence who contributes enormously to the County LTA as well as to the LTA and to all disability groups.
The Torch Trust was formed after the 1948 London Olympics to recognise exceptional volunteer work in sport.
Rick said, “It was a great honour to receive this Award especially in such a small and intimate gathering. The Duchess made a point of having a lengthy chat at the private reception after the ceremony and a tap on the shoulder and ‘well done’ from Sir Bobby was the highlight of the evening. My sincere thanks go to Sue Wolstenholme for nominating me for the Award and to the enormous number of volunteers back home in Nottingham who make up the team which I merely represent here tonight.”