JUNIOR SPORTS COMPETITOR-OF-THE-YEAR (Sponsored by West & Coe Funeral Directors)
JACOB BLANC - Jacob belongs to Havering Athletic Club and 2019 saw him quickly into his stride as a a first National medal was earned when his prowess saw him land a silver award at the England Athletics Indoor Championship in Sheffield. He proved he was just as good outdoors as later in the year he added 2 more National medals, both bronze, to his tally when hurdling over 80 metres at July's English Schools Championships at Birmingham and August's England Athletics Championship in Bedford. As well as hurdling Jacob is recognised as a talented multi-eventer and a 4th National medal was secured when occupying the bronze position in the Junior Pentathlon at the English Schools Combined Events' Meeting in Exeter. This caught the attention of the International Selectors who called him up for a meeting in Glasgow where he excelled - winning individual silver and team Gold for England.
During this period of sustained high-level performance he's also been an outstanding Club performer being ever-present in all 10 League fixtures. Jacob completed a League campaign unbeaten in his main event and also set records at both 80 metres' hurdles and 300 metres. He was part of Club record-breaking relay squads in the 4 X 100 and 4 X 300 metres events. He got to appear in our Olympic Stadium when competing in the televised Anniversary Games when he again was a relay quartet winner. Coaches, colleeagues and even rivals confidently predict more success for Jacob as 2020 unfolds.
SPORTS COMPETITOR-OF-THE-YEAR (Sponsored by MDS Printers of Upminster)
JORDAN SARGEANT - Jordan is a protagonist at both "Everyone Active Havering Tennis Club" based at Noak Hill Sports Centre and also at "Raphael Park Tennis Club". He plays competively for Havering Tennis Club and in singles matches - again - went through an entire season unbeaten! Jordan was 50% of his Club's Mixed Doubles' pairing who finished runners-up in their League, despite winning all their matches!
Jordan represented the Raphael Park Club in the very strong Aegon Tennis League and helped them to win that league's Championship title. The same Club participate in the Essex County League, which is recognised as one of the Country's strongest and - you've guessed - he helped them win that League title as well!
In individual tournaments Jordan finished 2nd from 40 entrants in the high quality Raphael Park Men's Singles League. His achievements as a player are all the more commendable as he fits in playing at high standard despite his commitment to a full-time job as a Tennis Coach at Havering Tennis Club.
DISABILITY SPORTS COMPETITOR-OF-THE-YEAR(sponsor
OLIVER BEADLE - Known as Olly, he's an energetic 20 year old who competes in sport to a high standard despite suffering dyspraxia and a severe speech and language impairment. He suffered epilepsy for almost 5 years which affect his learning.
He took up tennis when aged 7 years and is a member of both Upminster's Cranston Park Club and Mountnessing Tennis Club. Olly trains 5 days-a-week, splitting his time between the 2 Clubs. In addition he's one selected to attend National Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) training weekends and National Peformance Squad Coaching sessions. Much time is given as such sessions involve 10-to-12 weekends per year with a lot of travelling. He was the youngest of 4 male members selected by the LTA to represent Great Britain in the INAS Global Games at Brisbane. This was his first international event so he was extra keen to get beyond the Group Stage and make the knock-out stages. He started on the proverbial wrong foot as he was unwell, suffering jet-lag and unaccustomed to Brisbane's high heat. Despite being an unseeded newcomer he topped his Group, which included 2 seeded players, then beat the No.6 seed in a quarter final 4-0, 4-0. The semi-final saw his campaign end as the No.2 seed won in a close match. A 3rd/4th place play-off saw him face an uphill task against the No.1 seed and a former World No.1 for the past 4 years. He lost that one, but had claimed the World No.4 spot, having lost only 2 matches - both against former Word No.1 ranked players. His efforts helped Great Britain attain a silver medal team placing.
On the domestic scene he enjoyed regular success in Regional and National competitions. He won Gold in the doubles and an individual Silver at a major tournament in York, Gold at a tournament in Grantham and a double-Gold in the Men's singles and doubles at an event in Chestefield. Nearer home, at Enfield, he secured another double-Gold haul in the inaugural Middlesex & Surrey County Championships. The year ended on a high as he took Gold in the men's doubles and bronze in the singles at the National Tournament in Sunderland as well as being recognised as the player with the highest average scores for the year's competitions. He was presented presented with his awards at a Celebration Dinner - which was most apt as Olly had much to celebrate during 2019.
SPORTS VOLUNTEER-OF-THE YEAR (Sponsored by Councillor John Mylod - Deputy Mayor of Havering)
PAUL HURWORTH - Paul joined Ardleigh Green Cricket Club as a child and is now a prominent member and an active Committeeman. Among his duties he is the member who liaises with Havering Council and also represents his Club on the local Police Safe Neighbourhood Panel. As well as playing on both Saturdays and Sundays, he gives up his time each Monday and Friday to coach youth players. He's an inspirational Coach who ignites a love of cricket into all his session attenders. As well as technical aspects of playing he instills the gentlemanly and sporting principles of cricket to all - qualities which they'll take on into their adult lives.
Paul runs different coaching session between his Club and the Essex County Cricket Board as well as organising Charity events which have raised funds for local causes - notably SNAP and MIND.
His Club now has a different name - Ardleigh Green & Havering Atte-Bower Cricket Club. When a merger was seen as beneficial to both Clubs, Paul was a prominent in bringing this about. Two long-established Clubs are now one much stronger Club. Paul does all this for the love of the game and also to benefit his Community.
SPORTS CLUB-OF-THE-YEAR (Sponsored by Moments of Memory Photography of Rainham)
HAVERING TRIATHLON CLUB - Few Clubs can have achieved such success so soon after being founded, this being in 2016. Since then 60 members have grown to over 145 with new enquiries coming-in with regularity. This is assisted by continuous favourable local press coverage and 2019 saw the milestone of a 50th female participant. The Club offers training sessions on most days of each week, across all 3 Triathlon disciplines, with different locations hired - such as Coopers School, Hornchurch Sports Centre, Becontree Pool, David Lloyd's Gym, Hornchurch Stadium track and even a training week in Lanzarote which saw 36 members toiling away. Having a passport is a must for as well as competing across the United Kingdom, in 2019 teams were raised to appear in France, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Austria, Italy and Dubai.
With a multi-sport ethos, members will be on start lines at marathons, sportives, half-marathons, 10 Kilometres races, swims, parkruns and the annual Spitfire Scramble. If involving running, swimming or cycling you'll see them represented. One member was part of a English Channel relay swim and another cycled the length of Britain.
A triathlon can be an uphill task for newcomers, so each is allocated a "Buddy" to show them the ropes and see them through a mentoring programme. Success is shown by how many have progressed from Novice status to completing a full "Ironman" challenge. The Club stages a yearly Aquathon at Coopers School using an adjoining Country Park for its run section. They participate in the Essex Super Series, an initiative in which Clubs offer free races to entrants from across the County.
This Club is diverse, inclusive and welcomes all. They're affiliated to the British Triathlon Federation and fully comply with all their guidelines. Finally Havering Tri Club have an active social side which includes an Annual Awards Night at Upminster Tennis Club which was supported by over 90 members plus their guests.
SENIOR SCHOOL TEAM-OF-THE-YEAR (Sponsored by Brentwood M & E Services Limited)
FRANCES BARDSLEY ACADEMY UNDER 14 NETBALL TEAM - This team were winners of the annual Havering Rally which saw them selected to represent Havering Borough at the Essex Regional Finals where they beat a number of strong teams to become Essex County Champions. Such success brought another major assignment, for they were chosen to represent Essex at the National Schools Final. They were the only State School qualifying for this competition, with all their rivals being from the Independent Sector. They went through a number of rounds and then played successfully to win the Plate Final.
PRIMARY SCHOOL TEAM-OF-THE-YEAR (Sponsored by former Mayor, Councillor Melvin Wallace)
NEWTONS PRIMARY SCHOOL SPORTS TEAM - This School isn't large, so with limited numbers available for selection, their achievements are remarkable. 019 got going with an appearance in the Havering Hi Five netball Tournament where they achieved runners-up status, losing out by just a single goal. The pupils were true all-rounders as they performed well at Cross-Country, Tag Rugby, Gymnastics, Tennis, Hockey and Badminton. After only 1 practice session another final was reached - this being the Havering Kwikstix Hockey Contest. History repeated itself as - again - it was the one goal which edged them out of victory, as runners-up awards came their way. However better was to come as they triumphed in the Havering Handball Competition to enjoy Championship Title status.
Another Championship title was secured at the Borough's inaugural Seated Volleyball Competition - this meant they were invited to represent Havering in the annual London Youth/Schools Games Finals. The players organised their own lunchtime training sessions in preparation for what was a big competition. Their commitment paid off as the team won Gold, so becoming London's inaugural Seated Volleyball Champions.
In a number of sports, pupils showed drive and commitment with all giving-up much of their own time to attend training sessions, many of which they'd organised themselves. As well as exceptional skill, more importantly, they'd always displayed excellent team spirit.
THE DOUG RIDEN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (Sponsored by McDonald's Restaurants of Romford)
This is an award for a person who's given a lifetime of service to sport in Havering. It's named in honour of the late Doug Riden, who died in 2002. Mr.Riden was a President of Havering Sports Council and heavily involved in a number of sports throughout the Borough.
BRIAN KIERNAN - Brian's given 50 years of dedicated service to athletics since joining Havering Athletic Club in 1969. He's recently retired from his main volunteering roles, so now's the time to recognise his contribution to local sport. In the early '70s he took over Managing one of his Club's ladies teams and continued doing so for many years. He was Havering Athletic Club's representative at the Essex County Women's Athletics' Association for many years. In 1980 he embarked on serious coaching, specialising in throwing events - particularly the discus. Success came soon as he steered Rosanne Lister to National medals and international selection. Over many years his achievements continued as more Club members made it to the highest levels. he was so much in demand that in 209 he delayed an intended coaching retirement to steer Alice Brown towards National Titles and International recognition. As well as working with athletes Brian also found time to pass on his instructional skills to up-and-coming younger coaches, who are now maintaining his successes!
Brian is a regular attender at fixtures where he's always helping out and is regularly appointed as a Field Official. Brian's technical skills are invaluable in the upkeep of his Club's athletics facilities at Hornchurch Stadium. He was honoured to serve a 2 years' period as Havering AC President in 1988 & 1989. Brian's been a long serving Committee stalwart and is one of his Club's esteemed Life Vice Presidents. He's still involved though in other aspects of the Club's affairs. Let a Club Spokesman have the proverbial last word, by saying, "His Contribution to the Club since he joined 50 years' ago has been invaluable. He will be sorely missed now he's retired from coaching"
Dave Ainsworth
