As we continue through week two of our 2020 Regional Volunteer Award announcements, today's stop is the South region.
The annual volunteer awards programme sees nominations gathered from the public across the 10 English regions, with winners selected in partnership with the Regional Management Committee Chairs.
Commenting on the achievements of the winners, Basketball England Board Member, Tim Brown said: "It gives me great pleasure at this difficult time to congratulate all the winners of the Volunteer Awards from the Southern Region.
"I would also like to congratulate everyone that was nominated and all the volunteers in the region. Everything you do for basketball is extremely valued and appreciated.
"It is nice to have something to celebrate at this difficult time, stay safe and well and look forward to a new season when this is all over."
Amongst the winners are Steve Claringbould (Volunteer Of The Year) who despite having a high-powered and stressful ‘day job’, still lives and breathes basketball, especially with his club. Steve started with the Eagles when the Club was ‘resurrected’ in 2016 and has been fundamental in developing the club into the powerful force that it is within Oxfordshire basketball.
As well as being involved in the strategic direction of the club, Steve actively coaches 5 days a week as well being lead coach for the U16 Jnr. NBL Conference team and support coach for U18 Men's and Women's U18 Jnr. NBL Conference teams. In the past year, Steve has been an active and vocal advocate for girls and women’s basketball and, together with his wife Hayley, run the only Jnr. NBL basketball team for women in Oxfordshire.
Also recognised is Matt Guymon (Coach of the Year) for masterminding Team Solent Kestrels unbeaten NBL Division 1 campaign whilst also reaching the final of the BBL Trophy. A phenomenal achievement for an NBL team and a feat that will take some topping. In the run up to the final, Guymon's side secured wins against BBL outfits London Lions & Bristol Flyers with Matt always remaining humble and ensuring his team stayed focus and committed to the task at hand.
The full list of winners is as follows:
“Congratulations to all those who have won an award, as well as to those who were nominated.” said David Butler, Delivery Director for Basketball England. "As we continue through the country looking at the various recipients, it really does highlight just how important volunteers are to the grassroots of the sport and the incredible lengths people go to in order to support the game."
All the regional winners across the 13 award categories will be reviewed by a panel, with a total of three nominees per category then being shortlisted to be considered for National Awards. Due to the current situation across the country, Basketball England will not be hosting a traditional awards dinner in 2020, but national winners will still be selected. News on how these winners will be announced will be made in the coming weeks.
Regional award winners will continue tomorrow as we announce deserving winners from the South East region.
