Nottingham Wheelchair tennis volunteer Mike Phillipson has been recognised for his outstanding commitment to the sport at last week’s Torch Trophy Trust Awards.
Attended by the HRH Countess of Wessex, the awards celebrate the invaluable work of volunteers in sport, rewarding those who give up their free time to volunteer in sport, in their local communities every year, and without whom sport wouldn’t be able to function.
Mike Phillipson, who is from Bingham in Nottinghamshire, has been an invaluable volunteer within wheelchair tennis after encouraging his son David to take up the sport almost 20 years ago. He has dedicated much of his own time since retirement six years ago to contributing to making Nottingham’s two international wheelchair tennis events among the most highly regarded and popular tournaments on the world tour.
In six years Mike’s appreciation for the needs of world class athletes and his attention to detail have seen him progress from a driver for the British Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships, one of just six Super Series events in the world, as well as at the ITF 1 Series Nottingham Indoor, to becoming Head of Volunteers for the tournaments and a crucial member of the Tennis Foundation’s organisational network for both events.
Undertaking all his tasks with a smile and the upmost professionalism, Mike is an integral member of the Tennis Foundation team and the tournaments in Nottingham could not function without him.
Mike’s dedication to the sport has not only seen his son flourish and enjoy a highly successful career as a professional wheelchair tennis player, but also enable hundreds of other athletes to compete in, and enjoy, two of the world’s best wheelchair tennis tournaments. The Tennis Foundation would like to congratulate Mike on his award and thank him for all his support.
“I’m honoured to receive an award for something I love doing,” said Mike Phillipson.
“I’m humbled to be recognised amongst all the other fantastic winners. I hope that my involvement and contribution to the running of professional tournaments has a positive effect in getting more people involved in such a fantastic sport as wheelchair tennis.”
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Torch Trophy Trust, Sir Bobby Charlton said:
“We have honoured these volunteers at the Torch Trophy Trust Awards because of their incredible contribution to our great sporting nation. These volunteers are experts in their own field and we are pleased to bring attention to their tireless work."