The South West Volleyball Association appreciates the importance of volunteers in our sport and the huge contribution they make.
The Annual Awards go a little way to recognise their contribution and we hope that clubs and members will nominate those who they believe have put in their time and energy to assure the future development of volleyball.
[In a normal year we would include photos of our winners receiving their awards, unfortunately that’s not possible at the moment]
2020 Doreen Dingle Award for administration – Kerry Newman (posthumous)
Kerry has been a regular member of the SW Volleyball Family for many years. As a player at the top end of the NL program, several years as back ground support for the SWVA Inter Regional Championships squads and the SWVA first Child Welfare Office.
Junior coach at Taunton Volleyball Club since 2008, leading the development of the Minors and managing the Junior Grand Prix teams. She was a true inspiration and support to many of our young players.
(It is with great sadness that we learnt that Kerry passed away on the 20th May from Cancer)
2020 Bert Williams Referees Award – Donna Cunningham
Donna has been our most active referee in the SW League and SW Championships over the last two seasons.
She is an example to many people with her attitude, willingness to officiate and high standards.
2020 Commitment to SW Volleyball – Jurek Jankowski
Jurek is a key volunteer in the workings of SW junior Volleyball program. With the arranging and promoting of the monthly JuVoTo (Junior Volleyball Tournaments) events throughout the region and the annual mini championships.
Jurek also provides background supports and oversees our Inter Regional Championship Coaching team.
2020 Coaches Award – Ben Fairweather
Ben, (Back right) with the 2017 IRC U17 Boys Squad
Ben joined the SW IRC coaching team in 2015 and progressed to Boys U17 Head Coach. The boys in recent years have been regulars in the IRC final with one 1st and two 2nd place finishes to their name.
As well as coaching at the Exeter Storm Volleyball Club, Ben is always looking to expand his coaching work and has recently joined the Volleyball England Cadet coaching team and the SW Inter Regional Beach Coaching team.
2020 Contribution to SW Volleyball – Anna Lotowska
Anna is a non-playing coach at Bemi VC & Bristol Spikers VC, attending several training and match session each week, despite living in Newport & having her very own young family.
Over the last five years Anna has also been working through her level 1 & 2 coaching courses and has coached the same group of girls through mini volleyball at Spikers VC through to adult volleyball with Bemi VC.
The same group of young women are now confident players happy to step into any volleyball environment with faith in their own ability. This includes exploring university choices with one eye on the right university to get the best volleyball.
Anna is also an incredible female role model & so important for the female juniors coming through to aspire too.
Eagles eyed readers may recall that Anna also recently won the 2019 SW Champs “Spirit of the Tournament” award, as voted by the tournament officials. Anna is a young coach who is bring plenty of fun and commitment to the sport.
Well done to everyone.
Dave Reece
SWVA Chair
