Lee Valley Regional Park Authority Services to Sport

Nominations

Dilwyn Charles Tennis: Having moved to Harlow in 1957, Dilwyn, who is now aged 86, has provided a lifetime of dedication to sport. He has coached tennis for 53 years until recently when he unfortunately had to give up due to ill health. Dilwyn has helped tirelessly to run the Harlow Recreational Tennis Club for 35 years and has inspired copious numbers of children and young people to take part in the sport as well as many to become tennis coaches themselves, one of these being John Morris who has since coached within the England squads. During this time, Dilwyn has also diligently campaigned for better local provision of tennis within Harlow, improving the provision for people across the area. At the age of 86 it is clear that Dilwyn still has a passion for sport and is a worthy nominee.

Steve Dowding Football: As Club Secretary and Child Welfare Officer, Steve works tirelessly coordinating the huge quantity of administrative tasks required to support the 36 teams in Hawkwell Athletic Football Club. Having originally started working with the club in 1995 where his son was a player, Steve has continued his dedicated work and while his son has left to progress to university, Steve has stayed to help support many other young people, continuing to bring enthusiasm and commitment to the role year after year. Steve accomplishes a huge amount of tasks to support the club from organising the clubs annual tournament and fundraising for the club, to coordinating the clubs CRB checks and even picking up litter around the clubs ground. Steve is a key part of the Hawkwell team and his ongoing support and hard work is instrumental to their success.

Elaine Horner Netball: Elaine started Hockley Netball Club 25 years ago and has been Secretary and coach for the duration. The subject of several nominations, not only has Elaine coached many players and teams over the years but with umpiring, mentoring, assessing, scouting, teaching and playing, her commitment to the sport cannot be in doubt. Hockley Netball Club play in two local Leagues and the first team has enjoyed many successes during that time, having been in the top division of both Leagues for a number of years as a result of Elaine's commitment to the team and her motivation to succeed. A number of current players have been with the club for many years and on occasions grandmothers, mothers and daughters have all played together! Many club members have also been encouraged and supported by Elaine to become umpires and coaches who she has then mentored. From the nominations received, it is clear that Elaine is a very popular woman who has helped to improve the lives of many women in Essex for which they are all incredibly grateful.