Local Coach hits Bullseye at National Awards
Steve Richardson awarded for his support to young volunteers
Steve Richardson of Green Lane Disabled and Able Bodied Archers, based in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, has received national recognition for his exceptional support offered to young volunteers. The grassroots gongs were presented as part of the inaugural Sport England Young People Best Practice Awards in Telford. Organisations won recognition for delivering ‘cutting edge’ sports programmes, connecting with young people and using student opinions to shape the sports that are on offer.
Green Lane Archers scooped the gong for Best Support For Step Into Sport Community Volunteers - receiving praise for the numerous and diverse opportunities it provides for young volunteers to coach and officiate both within the club and beyond and for encouraging volunteers to progress their professional development to become fully qualified coaches.
Steve was thrilled to have received this award and said “It is a great honour for me and Green Lane Archers to be rewarded nationally for our work with young volunteers. By working with Northumberland Sport, I have found the Step into Sport programme very rewarding as it provides a clear avenue to work with young volunteers who can learn from our experience and guidance to develop their own skills which they will hopefully utilise in clubs like ours for years to come.
Neville Duncan, who accepted the award on behalf of Steve said “This is a tremendous achievement for Steve and richly deserved. Local clubs like Green Lane Archers need good coaches like Steve to promote good practice and provide opportunities for young volunteers involved in the Step into Sport programme, which is why this programme has been so successful in Northumberland.”
Judith Rasmussen, regional director with Sport England North East said: “We are delighted that a North East club has been recognised on a national stage and it is a tribute to the outstanding work that the whole team at Green Lane carries out. Our congratulations go to everyone involved.
“Sport survives on people giving time for free and making it happen. There is a whole network of volunteers out there making a real difference in their local communities. Current sport volunteers are aging so with the London 2012 Games on the horizon it is wonderful have so many young, enthusiastic volunteers in the region.”
Mike Diaper, executive director for children and young people with Sport England said: “I congratulate the winners for their impressive work engaging young people and getting them doing more sport. “
Please visit our Step into Sport pages for more information about this programme.
Editorial Support
Thanks to Liam Coleman who is curerently part of the 'Ashington Bedlington Young Appprenticeship in Sport' programme, from Ashington High School, for his support with this news item.
Liam also conducted an interview with Steve about receiving this award. Please click on the following for further details;
