Newark and Sherwood Sports Awards 2018
Top sportspeople in the district have been recognised in the annual Newark and Sherwood Sports Awards.
The awards, which are held annually by Active4Today, the district council’s leisure company, were launched in 2006 to reward individuals and groups that have gone the extra mile.
Active4Today Director of Communities, Alexis Knock, said: “Each and every one of the individuals and teams nominated in the awards have shown considerable commitment, determination and strength.
“It was a fantastic week recognising some of the fantastic sporting talent that we have in our district and giving them the rewards they deserve.”
Junior Disabled Sportsperson of the Year
Winner: Meg Macfarlane
This year’s Junior Disabled Sportsperson of the Year is Meg Macfarlane, who is the first to win this award for a second time. Meg was born with Down’s syndrome and underwent a series of major operations in her early years.
Meg is a member of the British Inclusive Skating Squad and achieved the gold medal for ice, dance and figure at level 3 in Vale, Colorado last season.
In April she took part in the UK inclusive skating championships in Glasgow and achieved a silver medal for figure skating at level 3 and level 1 free dance.
Sam White Junior Volunteer of the Year
Winner: Ben Greatbatch
An aspiring sports coach, Ben received this year’s Sam White Junior Volunteer of the Year award. Ben plays in Basketball England’s national league. He was awarded a VISPA (Volunteering in Sport and Physical Activity) platinum award for volunteering to coach in schools, leisure centres and within the community to children under 13.
Ben works on a one to one basis with a non-verbal child with Down’s syndrome which he thoroughly enjoys. Ben is autistic and in the last year had other serious health conditions. However, he works tirelessly to overcome his challenges and achieve his goals.
Warwick Lane Junior Sportsperson of the Year
Winner: Olivia Whitelaw
Horse-rider Olivia became the first to win the Warwick Lane Junior Sportsperson of the Year award. Olivia competes at an international level, being selected for Great Britain on three occasions and recently taking part in competitions in both the UK and France.
Olivia writes regular online blogs to inspire the younger generation of horse riders and also mentors younger riders that have also been selected for Great Britain.
Junior Team of the Year
Winner: Farndon Colts Under 16 football team
The hard work and dedication of the Farndon Colts Under 16 football team earned them the Junior Team of the Year award. Their persistence led them to win the 2017/18 league without losing a single game. In January 2018, they were awarded the Notts Youth League Fair Play Team of the month.
Club of the Year
Winner: Jaguars Wheelchair Basketball Club
The Jaguars Wheelchair Basketball Club were awarded the Club of the Year. Each team from the club competes on a national level and in May, the junior team qualified and played at the National Junior finals.
The club proudly supports players of all abilities and ages. The youngest player is nine while the oldest is 76 and still plays in a national league.
Senior Sportsperson of the Year
Winner: Nina Bradley
This year’s Senior Sportsperson of the Year award was named Nina Bradley. International boxer Nina won the Commonwealth Super Lightweight Champion in September this year and the International Female Welterweight Challenge Belt Championship in December 2017.
Nina works full time as a carer and her hard work, dedication and persistence has led her to an unbeaten record with six wins.
Senior Team of the Year
Winner: Newark Flowserve FC First Team
A promotion winning season earned Newark Flowserve FC First Team the Senior Team of the Year award.
A resounding victory marked the end of the 2017/2018 season for the team. Scoring 30 more goals than any other team and conceding 14 less, the squad finished 25 points clear of the second placed team.
The team has now gained promotion to Step 6 football of the FA's National League System due to the team spirit and determination of each and every one of the players.
Coach of the Year
Winner: Mark Nesbitt
This year’s Coach of the Year was awarded to Mark Nesbitt. Mark has played a considerable part in the development of female sport in Newark, supporting the coaching of the ladies football team in Newark for more than five years.
The girls football development sessions in Newark have enabled more than 60 girls from the ages of 4 to 12 to take part in football. Mark also runs the club on Saturday and has significantly increased the numbers in the 4 to 7 age group.
Newark football coaches Craig Roche and Steve Kirkham were also jointly nominated for this award. They have shown consistent determination and commitment to the sport which helped lead the Saturday Senior football Team to promotion to step six of the FA’s National League System in June this year.
Volunteer of the Year
Winner: Alan Swain and David Pick
Alan Swain and David Pick were the joint winners of the Volunteer of the Year award. Alan and David recently played an equal part in the redevelopment of the Newark Rugby Club facilities on Kelham Road, Newark.
In the last year, the club has completed a five-year £1.4 million project to completely refurbish its clubhouse, with David being project manager and Alan leading the fundraising team.
The redevelopment was deemed as one of the biggest projects undertaken by any sports club in the district.
Finalists in this category were Mark Nesbitt who received the award for Coach of the Year, and Emma Jessop. 23-year-old Emma joined Newark Athletic Club at the age of seven and is not only the under eleven lead coach but in the last year has become the club coaching co-ordinator, welfare officer and first aider.
Roll of Honour for Outstanding Contribution to Sport
Winner: Alan Swain and David Pick
As well as their involvement in the clubhouse redevelopment, their long-term commitment to Newark Rugby Club has earned them one of the three Roll of Honour prizes.
Alan has been president of Newark Rugby Club for four years and David has taken on multiple roles from writing grant applications, fundraising with club members and managing the ‘Tuesday team’.
Winner: Graham Jackson
Long-serving Balderton Cricket Club member and chairman, Graham Jackson received another of the three Roll of Honour awards. Graham has been involved in Balderton Cricket Club for more than 60 years, as a player for more than 45 years and a captain for a number of those.
An integral part of the club, Graham gives up much of his time to ensure that the club is in great hands both on and off the field, from running the bar, organising events and scoring throughout the playing season for the first team.
Winner: Warwick Lane (posthumously awarded and received by Warwick’s father, Richard Lane)
The final Roll of Honour prize was awarded to Warwick Lane, who sadly passed away in August after a short but brave fight against leukaemia.
Newark Advertiser sports and news reporter Warwick was an integral part of the local sporting community and this award is testament to his commitment, dedication and hard work.
Highly Commended Award
Winner: Newark Striders Running Club
January 2018 marked the start of what went on to be a successful year for Newark Striders Running Club, who were given the Highly Commended Award. This year the team has increased its membership numbers to 160, with more than 30 people completing the marathon distance, half of all members completing the half marathon and all members completing the 10km distance. The team have also shown significant community involvement, having linked up with Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Cleaner, Safer & Greener campaign. The team set up a ‘plogging’ (picking up litter while jogging) scheme in Newark, helping to clean up local streets.
Club members have also started the ‘run and talk’ initiative (raising awareness of the benefits of exercise to mental health) and have launched a successful ‘couch to 5K’ group during the year.