Awards celebrate 500 years of sports volunteering (Press Realease CCPR)

The Torch Trophy Trust last night made awards to volunteers who, between them, have racked up 500 years of volunteering in sport. The awards recognise the outstanding lifetime achievements of 18 volunteers, many of whom have dedicated their lives to providing others with sporting opportunities.

The Torch Trophy Trust last night made awards to volunteers who, between them, have racked up 500 years of volunteering in sport. The awards recognise the outstanding lifetime achievements of 18 volunteers, many of whom have dedicated their lives to providing others with sporting opportunities.

The awards were made last night by HRH The Countess of Wessex, accompanied by Jimmy Hill OBE, at the Army and Navy Club in front of a 120-strong audience.

Sports Minister, Richard Caborn MP, offered his personal congratulations to each of the winners, adding:

“Volunteers play an essential role in sport. There are an estimated 5.8 million sports volunteers in England, which makes sport the biggest single contributor to volunteering overall in the country.“

He also highlighted the role volunteers would have to play in London’s Olympics in 2012:

“Thanks to the work of organisations like the Torch Trophy Trust, there will be plenty of skilled, experienced and enthusiastic volunteers ready to make an invaluable contribution.”

Amongst the winners was Harry Austin, a man who has dedicated 42 years of his life to football, forming Northampton East Park FC and, over the next four decades, acting as chairman, secretary, player, kit manager and fundraiser for the club.

Another winner was Emma King who, aged only 24, is one of the youngest people to receive a Torch Trophy Trust award. Despite giving her time to rugby league in Wakefield, Emma was nominated by the FA Premier League because of her outstanding dedication to her chosen sport. Emma is coach of Stanley Rangers Under-8s and has introduced more than 80 children into the game in her three years there. As well as studying for a degree and playing rugby league herself, Emma takes training twice a week, attends match days and also arranges trips for her young charges. In her ‘spare time’ she acts as junior secretary and played a significant role in helping the club attain ‘Clubmark’ status.

Tim Lamb, CCPR chief executive told of his pride at the awards made on the night:

“These people are truly the heroes of sport in the UK. They give their time freely – not because there is the potential for fame and fortune, but because they love their sport and want to stoke that passion in others. The people who have won awards are just a handful of the people who contribute week in, week out to our sporting landscape. Without them, there would be no Ashes or rugby world cup winning sides or Olympic medallists. The awards are rightly about recognising that enormous contribution and to thank them for it.”