Guernsey Athletics heads for national awards after South-East success

Monday 30 November 2020

Guernsey Athletics has been named the club of the year for the South East at the England Athletics Volunteer Awards.

The focus of the awards this year paid particular attention to the response of clubs and their volunteers to the challenges presented by the corona virus pandemic.

The awards were presented virtually via a zoom call involving 50+ clubs across the South East at the weekend. 

Due to English lockdown arrangements, Guernsey Athletics was the only club that could receive the award in person at Bordeaux on Sunday afternoon.

Club Coach Alun Williams, who is also a member of the South East Regional Council for England Athletics, presented the award to Athletics Development Officer, Tom Druce.

Chris Jones, the Chief Executive Officer of England Athletics, praised Guernsey’s efforts.

"Guernsey AC has been through the full process of lockdown to (near) full activity in a professional, inclusive and forward-thinking approach from participation through to elite level. The club had the advantage of Guernsey island moving quickly from lockdown to near normality but equally this meant it having to deal with some of the safety & distancing requirements in advance of nationwide guidance. 

What a day, what a venue. The full series of FNB XC 3 Bordeaux races video is out showing Adult, Junior and Children's events.https://t.co/8G1GxBEDzb

— Guernsey Athletics (@GsyAthletics) November 29, 2020

"Our friends in Guernsey demonstrated all that was positive and good about our sport in the way that they responded dynamically to the challenges of returning after the summer lockdown. Their innovation, collaborative and “can do” attitude meant that clubs and their athletes were able to return sooner than later and in a safe and regulated way, enjoying both training and competitions for all, whatever their ability, discipline or background."

The awarding body also praised the elite sporting achievements of some Guernsey athletes, including Alastair Chalmers, an under-20 athlete who ran a sub-50-second 400m Hurdles.

The club will now enter the national competition for England Athletics Club of the year in early 2021 and Mr Williams believes that they can go on to win the national award.

"I’m very proud to be a member of Guernsey athletics. We really came together as a club during the difficult lockdown period and we took full advantage of the different circumstances in Guernsey which allowed us to flourish as a club.

"Spearheaded by Tom and our excellent team of volunteers we were able to provide a first-class on-island programme of track and field, road and cross-country fixtures but Tom, in particular, made sure that we always put the health interests of our athletes and the wider community first. 

We deserve the national recognition that will result from being named club of the year during such a challenging year."