In my blog last week I said how good it feels to be part of a team and I reflected on some of the individuals who work away at delivering our sport. The one group we should all celebrate is our volunteers – the many in our clubs and at local and national level who just get on with it and make things happen. Without them our sport really could not function and it’s worth us remembering that and saying thank you for all that they do. I am reminded that when I joined GBWR at the end of 2009 the sport was both managed and delivered by volunteers with the exception of some professional staff employed to deliver the GB programme. We all owe a great deal to those volunteers who built our great sport in this country as without them we could not be in the strong position we are today. Yes we now have a professional management team and thanks to UK Sport, Sport England and our partners, we now employ a number of people to deliver programmes and support to our clubs, but we still rely on many, many, volunteers at local level to make things work. So if you are one of those volunteers – thank you! On 5 December it was the International Day of Volunteers, an opportunity for everyone to celebrate and give thanks to those who make a difference in their communities. It has given me the idea that we should do something special for our volunteers next year on International Volunteer Day so watch this space!
It’s been a week of awards! Not quite the Oscars but how good it was to see Ieuan Coombs nominated at the Sports Awards in Cardiff for his community volunteer work. At the same event the faithful Pirates coach Jinx Jenkins picked up the award of Wales Sports Coach to the Disabled for his many years coaching the Pirates and more recently for coaching the GB Invictus squad to a gold medal with his look alike partner Mike Spence. At the other end of the country, Luke Twizell picked up an award for Disabled Sportsperson of 2014 at the Hartlepool Mail Sports Awards. Luke who plays for the North East Bulls is building a bit of a name for himself as he was also voted best 1.5 in the November Super Series and has made the GB Talent squad. That squad returned from the Prague tournament this week where they found the competition pretty tough going but where they learnt a great deal. It was a great development opportunity and gives the players, coaches and staff the opportunity to build on the experience.
For me it has been a very busy but interesting week working with potential future partners and broadcasters. I hope to have some news in the New Year which I am excited about sharing with you!
David Pond
