INSIDE TRACK Volunteers who keep sports ticking honoured with awards

REGION’S TRIO OF WINNERS IN SPOTLIGHT

THE region celebrated in a big way at this year’s England Athletics National Volunteer Awards presentation evening at the Richo Arena, Coventry.

After making it through from the regional awards three nominees were forwarded to the ‘National Final’ and, in front of a full house, all three came out on top in their respective category.

Often seen trackside at Gateshead International Stadium, Janice Kaufman’s dedication to coaching is not unknown to many here in the North East so much so she was named Coach of the Year.

Over the years Janice has held a number of roles with Gateshead Harriers but now she can be seen more often encouraging athletes, young and old of varying abilities, a role she delivers 100 per cent.

At elite level she has taken Jason Nicholson from an early age through to making him Britain’s leading under-20 hurdler where he went on to finish fifth in the final of the World Junior Championships in Tamper, Finland with Kaufman cheering him on from the grandstand.

While Nicholson’s performances have given Janice huge satisfaction she is equally happy in her role in developing disability athletics not just at Gateshead but throughout the North East and through her input more and more athletes with disabilities are now taking up the sport and it’s her dedication which came through strongly for her to be named Coach of the Year.

While Coach of the Year is one of the top awards handed out that can also be said for the Official of the Year category.

And here again it was a North East nomination that came out on top.

Nearly every weekend Lynne Marr is seen supporting events as a track judge and endurance official. However, the Tynedale Harrier doesn’t stop there though for she is the North East Masters’ AA Officials’ league and championship co-ordinator and also mentors non-qualified officials when nominated by their clubs at league events as well as being the North East Endurance officials mentor.

In her role as a chief judge, she prepares paperwork to make sure any possible future officials get the necessary duty experiences. She has even prepared innovative visual cards for lapped deaf runners and has had extensive experience with wheelchair racing and the transplant games.

The region’s final award went to Alnwick-based Mind & Sole a newly-formed body which came out on top in the RunTogether Group section.

Led by Christine Smith Mind & Sole is totally dedicated to reaching out to people with low self-esteem, anxiety and depression.

Having suffered and recovered herself Christine understands first hand the obstacles to participating in sport. However, she is was so enthusiastic about helping others in a similar situation, she formed a Facebook group and over the space of just a year she now has over 200 under her wing – all with mild mental health issues and all people who previously lacked the confidence to take part in any form of exercise.

Along with two volunteers who also give up their time freely for the benefit of others Christine now has three running groups which meet up at the Willowburn Sports Centre every Monday and Wednesday.

The sport could not function without the band of volunteers and the award-winners represent all of those who dedicate much of their time week-in week-out for the benefit of others.

The award-winners represent all of those who dedicate much of their time week-in week-out for the benefit of others