Tag Archives: Sport

So much sport on view diverts my attention

I am enjoying the surfeit of sport on TV. Obviously there’s football, which has grabbed the attention of the whole country, apart from a small number of miserable Scots.

I’ve watched Twenty20 cricket, Rugby, and the Tour de France. Wonderfully, some viewing is back to back. The Euro 2020 is an evening watch, while the Tour de France stage finishes end around 4.30pm. Oh, I shouldn’t forget that there’s been tennis.

Out of all the sports I’ve watched nothing, in my view, compares to the efforts of the riders on the Tour de France. It’s three weeks of racing up and down mountains and sprints along flatter stages. The current leader of the Tour is Tadej Pogacer a young 22 year old Slovenian, who won the Tour last year. In a race where seconds generally separate the leaders of the race, Pogacer leads by over 5 minutes. His ability to manage his lead is hugely impressive as is his versatility and race management is equal to greatest rider of all time Eddy Merckx.

In my teens on a company adventure training course I shared a room with a fellow student. His hero was Jacques Anquetil, a French five time winner of the race. I learned all about the race and the famous riders. His passion for the race was sufficient to rub off some of that passion onto me. I’ve friends who have ridden some of the famous climbs on the race, and who are as completely smitten as was my fellow student, all those years ago.

This years’ tour is epic. Crashes galore and heroic stage wins by a variety of riders. Notably, including the exploits of 36 year old Mark Cavendish, who has come back to the race after some years out of cycle racing through suffering from Epstein-Barr virus and depression. Cavendish has won four stages of this years tour, Each one has been emotional. Cavendish loves the tour.

Hopefully Cavendish will reach Paris, and perhaps he might beat Eddie Merckx record number of wins which might assuage our national disappointment at losing to Italy in the Euro 2020 final. For me, I’ve still a week of sporting drama with the Tour de France.

The winners of the Surrey Heath Sports Awards 2018

Surrey Heath Borough Council announce the winners of the Surrey Heath Sports Award 2018,

Surrey Heath’s sporting talent was celebrated at the Sports Awards 2018 with a special ceremony at Camberley Theatre. The awards recognise and reward talented local athletes, coaches, volunteers, teams and clubs for their outstanding commitment and achievements in sport over the past 12 months.

Camberley Rugby Club – Club of the Year

More than 300 members of the local sporting community attended the awards on 15 October, alongside special guests including the Mayor of Surrey Heath, Cllr Dan Adams, and SHBC Chief Executive Karen Whelan.

Nominations were across a wide spectrum of sports including equestrian, inline puck hockey and pickleball. These were whittled down to a shortlist in each category before the winners were selected by the Surrey Heath Sports Council.

Winners:

  • Active Surrey Coach of the Year – Claire Murray, Heatherside Social Walking/Cycling
  • The Massage Company Sports Club of the Year – Camberley Rugby Club
  • Camberley Theatre Disability Sports Award – Yasmin Somers, Harlow Athletics Club
  • Highly Commended – Surrey Chargers (Mixed Ability Rugby)
  • Outstanding Service to Sport – Grant Simmons, Ravenscote Junior School
  • Legacy Sportswear Sports Personality of the Year – Samantha Taylor, GB Age Triathlete
  • National Tennis Association Sports Team of the Year – Camberley& Farnborough Hockey Club Ladies 2nd XI
  • Complete Coaching Young Sports Personality of the Year – Owen Heard, Camberley& District Athletics Club
  • Specsavers Young Sports Team of the Year – Bisley & Sandown Chase Pony Club Mounted Games Junior Team (Equestrian)
  • Robin Elsdon-Dew Award for Young Volunteer of the Year – Alivia Leahy, Liberty Gymnastics Club

Specsavers Surrey Youth Games Awards

  • Performance of the Games – Parami Aye
  • Coach of the Games – Mark Dodson (Football)
  • Young Ambassador of the Year – Dylan Wright
  • Most Supportive School – Crawley Ridge Junior School

Surrey Heath Sports Council member Cllr Charlotte Morley said: “Many congratulations to all the award winners, and everyone who was nominated this year.  It’s been a great year for Surrey Heath sport, with fantastic performances and participation rates from clubs at all levels. This wouldn’t be possible without the support of the coaches, volunteers and parents who dedicate so much of their time and effort. The awards are an excellent opportunity to recognise the achievements of all involved.”

Sports Personality of the Year, GB Age Triathlete Samantha Taylor, said: “I had a fantastic evening at the Surrey Heath Sports Awards and am honoured to have won Sports Personality of the Year. Thank you to everyone that has supported me to achieve so much – here’s to seeing what we can do next year, and who else I can inspire to be more active!”

To be eligible for the awards, you need to be a Surrey Heath resident, or play or be involved in sport in the Borough.  All the winners in the Surrey Heath Sports Awards are automatically entered into the Surrey Sports Awards.

Last year, two Surrey Heath winners – Bagshot Tennis Club (Club of the Year) and John Wickens (Outstanding Service to Sport – Bagshot Football Club) – went on to triumph at the county-wide event.

Special thanks to our generous sponsors: Active Surrey, Camberley Theatre, Complete Coaching, Legacy Clothing, The Massage Company, National Tennis Association, Places for People, Specsavers and Surrey Playing Fields Association. www.surreyheath.gov.uk/shsa

Congratulations to all the winners.

Shortlist for the Surrey Heath Sports Awards 2018

Surrey Heath Borough Council announce the shortlist for the Surrey Heath Sports Awards 2018.

The awards recognise and reward talented local athletes, coaches, volunteers, teams and clubs for their outstanding commitment and achievements in sport over the past 12 months. Following a fantastic year of sport in Surrey Heath, dozens of nominations were received from the public for these wide-ranging awards. These were whittled down to a shortlist in each category before the winners were selected by the Surrey Heath Sports Council.

To be eligible for the awards, you need to be a Surrey Heath resident, or play or be involved in sport in the Borough.  Organised by Surrey Heath Borough Council, the awards celebrate the best in local sporting achievement with a special ceremony at Camberley Theatre on 15 October, where the winners will be announced. This year’s shortlists:

Active Surrey Coach of the Year

  • Ashley Tombs (AvalancheInline Hockey)
  • Pedro Lemos (FoxhillsClub & Resort – Golf)
  • Claire Murray (HeathersideSocial Walkers)

Robin Elsdon-Dew Award for Young Volunteer of the Year

  • Pheonix Govey-Gray (CamberleyJudo Club)
  • Mikayla Dodson (CamberleyTown Youth FC)
  • Alivia Leahy (Liberty Gymnastics)

Specsavers Young Sports Team of the Year

  • Camberley& Farnborough U14 Boys Hockey Team
  • Curley Park Rangers U9 Team (Football)
  • Bisley & Sandown Chase Pony Club Mounted Games Junior Team (Equestrian)

Complete Coaching Young Sports Personality of the Year

  • Lillie Tombs (AvalancheInline Hockey)
  • Victoria Usher (RushmoorSyncronised Swimming Club)
  • Owen Heard (Camberley& District Athletic Club)

National Tennis Association Sports Team of the Year

  • CamberleyRugby Club 1st XV
  • Camberley& Farnborough Hockey Club Ladies 2nd XI
  • Paul Hughes and Wendy Marks (Runnymede Royals Pickleball Club)

Legacy Sportswear Sports Personality of the Year

  • Charlotte Dannatt (Camberley& District Athletic Club)
  • Harry Dugmore (CamberleyRugby Club)
  • Samantha Taylor (FarnhamTriathlon Club)

Camberley Theatre Disability Sports Award

  • Yasmin Somers (Harlow Athletics Club)
  • Surrey Chargers (Mixed-Ability Rugby)

The Massage Company Sports Club of the Year

  • Fins Swimming Club
  • CamberleyJudo Club
  • CamberleyRugby Club

Outstanding Service to Sport

  • David Noble (LightwaterJuniors Badminton Club)
  • Gill Abraham (CamberleyCricket Club)
  • Geraldine Carter (CamberleyLawn Tennis Club)
  • Grant Simmons (RavenscoteJunior School)
  • Gareth Rise (CamberleyRugby Club)

Last year’s winners included rugby player Harry Dugmore as Sports Personality of the Year, Camberley & Farnborough Hockey Club Ladies 1st XI as Sports Team of the Year, and Chobham Cricket Club U11 as Young Sports Team of the Year.

All the winners in the Surrey Heath Sports Awards are automatically entered into the Surrey Sports Awards.  Last year, two Surrey Heath winners – Bagshot Tennis Club (Club of the Year) and John Wickens (Outstanding Service to Sport – Bagshot Football Club) – went on to triumph at the county-wide event.

Special thanks to our generous sponsors: Active Surrey, Camberley Theatre, Complete Coaching, Legacy Clothing, The Massage Company, National Tennis Association, Places for People, Specsavers and Surrey Playing Fields Association. www.surreyheath.gov.uk/shsa

Nominate your person for Surrey Heath Sports Awards

Surrey Heath Borough Council announce opening of nomination for their 2017 Sports Awards

It’s been another fantastic year of sport in Surrey Heath, and nominations are now open for the annual borough Sports Awards.

It’s the perfect opportunity to recognise and reward talented local athletes, coaches, volunteers, teams and clubs for their outstanding commitment and achievements in sport over the past 12 months.

Nominations for a range of individual, team and club awards are open now – award categories include:

  • Young Sports Team of the Year
  • Sports Team of the Year
  • Club of the Year
  • Young Volunteer of the Year
  • Disability Sport Award
  • Coach of the Year
  • Young Sports Personality of the Year
  • Sports Personality of the Year
  • Outstanding Service to Sport

The deadline for nominations is 31 August, with the winners announced at a ceremony held at Camberley Theatre on 23 October.

Last year’s winners included Team GB rugby sevens star Phil Burgess as Sports Personality of the Year, and Club of the Year Swifts Juniors Badminton Club.

All the winners in the Surrey Heath Sports Awards are automatically entered into the Surrey Sports Awards. Last year, two Surrey Heath winners – Pedro Lemos (Coach of the Year) and Penny Froude (Disability Sports Award) – went on to triumph at the county-wide event.

For more information, including award criteria and to make a nomination, visit www.surreyheath.gov.uk/sportsawards. The nomination form is quick and easy to complete.

Activities throughout August celebrate a summer of sport in Surrey Heath

Surrey Heath Borough Council announced on 2nd August 2016 their Summer of Sport activities, to celebrate sport in the borough,

Ben's choices portraitTo celebrate a huge summer including Wimbledon, the European Football Championships and the Rio 2016 Games, Surrey Heath Borough Council is holding a number of celebratory events throughout August to help residents get into the sporting spirit. Whether you’re a keen sports person or consider yourself more of an ‘armchair’ fan, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

The Festival of Sport week, running from 8 to 12 August, will offer residents a unique opportunity to try out a host of sports through a series of one-off ‘taster’ sessions. The sessions will link in with local clubs, so those who discover a potential hidden talent can continue to develop their skills once the festival week is over. A number of sessions will be based at the Arena Leisure Centre in Camberley, while several others will take place at club venues across Surrey Heath.

The Sports Market on Park Street, Camberley Town Centre on Saturday 13 August will showcase a range of sport and physical activity with related stalls and demonstrations from various leisure centres, specialist sports shops and local clubs. There’ll be plenty of opportunities to get involved, exhibitions from top local clubs such as Camberley Judo Club and lots of information about ways you can enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle in Surrey Heath.

An Our Sporting Heritage exhibition at Surrey Heath Museum from Wednesday 3 August to Saturday 3 September will celebrate the sporting heritage of Surrey Heath. It will provide a brief history of sport in the borough and profile a number of local 2016 hopefuls. Free admission.

Visit www.surreyheath.gov.uk/SOS for further details on any of these events.

Did you see this flag flying?

London 2012 Olympic Flag

London 2012 Olympic Flag

An email from the Surrey Heath Council communications team alerted members to the raising of this flag in the Borough to coincide with the Olympic flag handover to London.

Apparently all local authorities were asked to fly this flag last Sunday. Surrey Heath chose to raise the flag at Frimley Lodge Park.

I wonder, did you get to see it?

As a flag, it’s certainly different. There cant’t be many others that look like this.

England’s rugby team returns to Bagshot

Great news. England’s rugby team is returning to Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa as their training headquarters.

It’s got to be good for us in Surrey Heath. Good reflection on the quality facilities offered in the borough, secured employment, additional revenue, sporting heroes on view, a little touch of glamour.

In the past I frequently ‘business breakasted’ at Pennyhill Park Hotel. Seeing, and occasionally getting to talk to your heroes is a big boost to a day.

I’ll certianly miss having brief chat’s with Jason ‘Billy Whizz’ Robinson.