Merlin's Magical Season comes to an end with Four Awards
Paul Weatherburn from Merlin Brae Waterski and Wakeboard Club receives recognition of the clubs ClubMark acheivement
One of the most successful seasons on Kielder Water has come to a close for Merlin Brae Water ski Club.
The junior section of the club have taken the National Cutting Edge title, a member of the club became Northern Champion, the club became the first ClubMark accredited Waterski and Wakeboard club in the Country and one of its volunteers was named National Volunteer of the Year.
Setting the tone at the Cutting Edge
The success started in September at the National Cutting Edge championships. The Northern squad of 8 junior members claimed the national title as the 8 members of Merlin Brae combined with 2 members from other clubs who attend the Cutting Edge sessions. Proud Coach Davy Hughes stated
"We are all absolutely thrilled as it is only 5-years since we entered this fantastic event for the first time and Laura Weatherburn & Matthew Hughes were our only team members. We have been improving every year and for the region to finally win is tremendous."
Northern Champion aged 12
The other outstanding performance on the water for the club came in September when Harry Young continued his successful year by being named the Champion of Champions at the Northern Region Championships to win the Victor Ludorum Trophy after winning the Slalom, the Tricks and Jumps events. It was a great performance from the 12 year old to claim the titles.
Season ends with Accreditation Landmark
The awards were not limited to the water though, with the club becoming the first in the Country to gain the ClubMark accreditation. The club have been working closely with Northumberland Sport and the application folder was assessed through the North East County Sport Partnerships Accreditation Panel they were accredited in December 2011.
The clubs volunteers have put a lot of hard work in to achieve the national cross sport standard for junior members. Paul Weatherburn from the club has these comments on the accreditation process and the gaining of the ClubMark award:
"When we first looked at the ClubMark process it appeared to be a daunting task, however we soon realised we were already doing most of requirements, just in a different format"
Paul also highlighted the role the ClubMark will play in attracting new members.
"At Merlin Brae we focus on the youth skiers & now we have ClubMark it will allow us to attract other youth groups in the area to experience water skiing at our club.
Club Volunteer receives National award
The 2012 year has started with more success for the club with Paul Weatherburn being named the 2011 Volunteer of the Year at the British Waterski and Wakeboard awards.
Paul was nominated by the club coaches Davey Hughes and Peter Murphy, for all of the work he has put in to the club development over the past couple of years and the work towards gaining the ClubMark status.
Stephen Parsons from Northumberland Sport sums up the clubs year.
"Merlin Brae have been able to show what can be achieved by a rural club with a strong volunteer base and a commited group of participants in a relatively short space of time. The ClubMark accreditation and Paul's award are both fantastic achievements and are very well deserved. Northumberland Sport is delighted to be supporting the club in its continued development over the coming years as well."
For more information about the club and the success they have had this year please visit the Merlin Brae website.
