| SWVA Awards 2019 |
2019 Doreen Dingle Award for administration – Cliff Ball
Cliff has been a long-term administrator with the South West VA and Wiltshire VA plus recent work on the National scene with Children and Young Persons development.
Cliff Ball (left) receiving the Doreen Dingle award from SWVA Representative Tim Clifford
2019 Bert Williams Referees Award – Daniel Sarnik
Dan is a regular referee at SW Champs and progressing through the NVL structure with recent Division One Matches and the SW Champs Final.
2019 Coaches Award – Dave Gunter
Dave has given a tremendous commitment to coaching over the last few years with the South West VA, Wessex VC Juniors & Senior teams, VE Staff Tutor and Southampton Solent University.
2019 Commitment to SW Volleyball – Ros Sutherland
Ros Sutherland has been one of longest serving members of the SWVA coaching teams as well as her development work in the region and her local East Devon area.
Ros Sutherland receiving the SW Commitment award from SWVA Chairman Dave Reece
2019 Contribution to SW Volleyball – Immy Dawes
Immy has been assisting and coaching junior sessions in the SWVA and the Academy of Beach Sport during the last 10 years.
Managing a range of athletes and supporting their parents on their journey through the sport.
Immy Dawes receiving the SW Contribution award from SWVA Representative Tim Clifford
2019 Spirit of the Tournament Awards (SW Champs)
The Spirit of the Tournament award winners are chosen by the SW referees. This years Women’s award went to Anna Letowska from Bemi VC and for the Men, this year’s winner was Cono, who was busy assisting his Mum’s & Gran’s team throughout the weekend.
Ladies Spirit of the Tournament award, Anna Lotowska (No 13)
| SWVA Awards 2018 |
2018 Doreen Dingle Award for administration – Neil Bentley
Awarded to Neil for his work with the SW Junior Squads for the last two seasons. A lot of back ground admin work for our Junior Training sessions and organising the big weekend away for everyone at the Inter Region Championships.
2018 Bert Williams Referees Award – Jacky Pang
2018 Coaches Award – Phil Gorton
2018 Commitment to SW Volleyball – Chris Beer
2018 Contribution to SW Volleyball – Luis Stanbury
A new award this year to reward and to celebrate the contribution of our younger members in the sport.
Our first winner is Luis Stanbury for his work with the SW Junior squads and the volleyball program in Plymouth.
2018 Spirit of the Tournament Award (SW Champs)
Jacky Pang picking up the spirit of the tournament award yesterday from SWVA Referee Administrator Chris Semmens
| SWVA Awards 2017 |
2017 Doreen Dingle Award for administration – Tim Clifford
Awarded to Tim for his community work in setting up the Bristol League and Bristol Juniors. A lot of time dedicated to running volleyball in the Bristol area, for Universities, schools and tournaments.
2017 Bert Williams Referees Award – Chris Semmens
Chris has taken on the SW Referee Administrators role and has done an excellent job with our referees in our region (new and old). Setting up mentor, upgradings, taking part in training courses and SW Tournaments.
2017 Coaches Award – Andrew Potter
Andrew puts a lot of focus into grass roots and junior volleyball and is really helping Plymouth to develop a much larger volleyball base. His enthusiasm for the game and for reaching out to youngsters in the area have played a key role in the sport.
2017 Commitment to SW Volleyball – Geoff & Lynn Allen
Geoff Allen accepting this years award on behalf of himself and Lynn Allen, recognised for their work at Wessex (over 40 years) and in the SW.
| SWVA Awards 2016 |
2016 Doreen Dingle Award for administration – Dave Reece, presented by VE President Geoff Allan.
Awarded to an administrator who has, over a number of years, made a significant contribution of time and effort, provides high quality administration and who continuously displays an outstanding commitment.
2016 Bert Williams Referees Award – Matt Bell
Awarded, in memory of Bert Williams, to referees in recognition for their contribution and dedication to volleyball.
2016 Coaches Award – Steve Marshall
Awarded to coaches in recognition for their contribution and dedication to volleyball.
2016 Commitment to SW Volleyball – Paul Locke
An award for a volunteer who has made a significant contribution of time and effort and who continuously displays (or has displayed) an outstanding commitment to volleyball.
| SWVA Awards 2015 |
2015 Coaches Award – Matt Stevens (back right)
Matt is totally dedicated to the development of players of all abilities ranging from juniors to National league. His commitment to his coaching responsibilities is total.
He has progressed his ability as a coach by developing the Devizes team to be the dominant force in Wiltshire. This season Matt has exceeded expectations by coaching the Bath Mavericks National League Ladies team to a Play off place and entry in to NVL Division 1.
2015 Bert Williams Referees Award – Nick Heckford
Nick has continued to give great commitment to refereeing for many years now. He refereed in the Women’s World Championships in 2014 in Italy, continues to travel onto the Continent regularly to referee European Cup club matches.
In addition to this :
– he still referees at all levels of National League
– runs a season’s opening refereeing development evening for local league players
– is a member of Referees Commission
– is a member of the Volleyball Dorset committee as Treasurer.
2015 Doreen Dingle Award – Steffan Paessler
Steffen has given of his time freely over many years in order to produce a playing schedule, complete with timings and links to the result grids for the various categories in both the Junior Grand Prix and Junior South West Championships.
This has made it much easier for the administrator to run the tournament on the day, as they just have to set up the hall, give out the schedule and then the tournament tends to run itself using the information that Steffen provides. At the end of the tournament, the results are then sent to Steffen, who then checks and adds the results to the website, updating the various running totals as appropriate.
Steffen has always been generous with his time, prepared to make last minute changes when possible in a calm and understanding manner. I do not feel that Steffen really appreciates what a difference his organisation makes to the running of a tournament, it makes it so smooth in being able to run it and allows the organiser on the day to have confidence in being able to run it successfully.
I feel he is well overdue an official recognition of his outstanding contribution to the running of the Junior events over a significant number of years and how everyone involved really values his input. I have not hesitation in nominating him for the Doreen Dingle Administrators Award and feel he would make a really worthwhile recipient.
2015 Commitment to SW Volleyball – Deryck Williams
I am not sure how long Deryck has been a member of the SW Executive Committee, however I don’t think there is anyone else (apart from Ron Richards) who has been on the committee for as long as Deryck. He initially joined the SW Committee as Gloucestershire VA Secretary and when he stepped down from that role (and became the Glos VA President) he then became a SW Executive Committee Member. He has made a huge contribution to local volleyball in Gloucestershire over many many years and also the SWVA.
| SWVA Awards 2014 |
2014 Doreen Dingle Award for Administration: David Walrond
Role: SWVA Junior Grand Prix Manager
Successes achieved:
David has been managing and running the SW Junior Grand Prix with a small team of volunteers for a number of years. The Grand Prix’s forms an important link in the Junior development program, providing an exciting opportunity for kids to test their skills against other teams and to progress on to the IRC & SWJBT.
2014 Bert Williams Referee Award: Richard Parkes
Role: SW, NL & UKSG Referee
Success:
Richards has been an active referee in the region this year with SW and NL fixtures and events, plus made his debut at the UK School Games this year.
2014 SW Coach Award: Jurek Jankowski
Role: SW Juniors U15 Head Coach and Volleyball Taunton Juniors Coach
Successes achieved:
Jurek has been coaching for different teams and levels for over 20 years. He has been coaching in the Taunton Area for 10 years, concentrating on Junior Development and also working with regional development for the South West Under 15 Boys age group.
Individual honours include players representing SW teams in regional competitions, and two boys training with England Cadets (U16) and one girl playing with England Juniors (U18). In October 2010 as an Ex- player Jurek was inducted into the English Volleyball’s hall of Fame.
Jurek is an amazingly talented coach, with a passion and enthusiasm which is infectious. He works with all levels of volleyball player and even when not officially coaching he takes time out to help individuals with their development and playing. He makes the sessions great fun and is especially good at setting the level to fit the huge variety of levels that attend so that all benefit.
2014 Commitment to SW Volleyball Award: Roy Pankhurst
Role: SWVA Vice Chair, Chair LeAF investment zone
Successes achieved:
Not sure where to start, Roy has been an active member in so many rolls since the 1960’s, helping to set up the SWVA and the chair of the AVA (Amateur Volleyball Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) during this period, now called Volleyball England.
| SWVA Awards 2013 |
2013 Doreen Dingle Award for Administration: Jim Gilbert
Role: Countrymen Treasure and Club Organiser (20 plus years)
Successes achieved:
Jim is one of those who does not seek credit but is always at the front of any effort that the club does. Including running and organising the beach competition, helping out with schools and the county committee.
Jim leading the Countrymen at the 2011 Vets Tournament
2013 Bert Williams Referee Award: Charlie Huitson
Role: SW & NL Referee
Success:
Charlie is a regularly referees on the National, SW and EDVA circuit and has given up his time at the last two years SW Champs (at least) to both referee and help to mentor new developing referees.
Charlie picking up the Bert Williams Award
2013 SW Coach Award: Steve Allen
Role: PMVC Head Coach
Successes achieved:
Coached the PMVC Ladies with a very small squad of girls to the SW Title. Throughout a very challenging year Steve Allen’s coaching has helped keep the numbers at good level and motivated players to want to improve.
As well as coaching the ladies he has been the main and often only coach at weekly club training sessions and played for the PMVC Mens team in the SW league. Along with that he has found the time to mentor three of our junior girls to the point where two of them are now regional players and one is an England Junior .
Steve at work at this years SW Champs
2013 Commitment to SW Volleyball Award: Geoff Allen
Role: Wessex Chairman, Volleyball Dorset Chairman, Coach to Wessex Women and co coach to Wessex u18 women. Staff tutor – runs coaches courses.
Successes achieved:
Wessex Women who finished 3rd in the VE Super 8’s and reached the semi final of the National Cup.
- International Volleyball Federation Level 3 coaching award – having attended courses in Czechoslovakia (1978), Mexico (1979) and the UK (1992)·
- Volleyball England Staff Tutor since 1982, teaching other coaches to coach – now Senior Staff Tutor.·
- Has coached all ages and standards, from 8 year-old beginners to internationals – over 70 players to England/GB honours.
- Former Assistant Coach to England Men’s team – European Championships in Finland (1986)·
- Former Chief Coach of England South Cadet boys, South-West Under 17 and under 19 boys.
- Coached both Wessex men and women’s teams all the way from beginners to National Volleyball League Division 1.
- Coached Men’s NVL team for 15 years, women’s NVL team for 19 years.
- Coached 5 Wessex teams to National Champions, and 4 South-West teams to Inter-Regional Champions.
- Holds the UK Coaching Certificate from Sports Coach UK (2008)·
- Dorset Coach of the Year in 2004·
- Founded Wessex Volleyball Club in 1976, now one of Britain’s biggest most successful volleyball clubs – 200 players, 40 teams and 38 National Championships. Still Chairman and Chief Coach.
- Director of English Volleyball Association for 7 years – fulfilled the roles of Marketing Director (1999-2001), Finance Director (1998-1999), Playing Director (1996-1998), and Vice-President (1994-1996)·
- Chairman of the Poole-Bournemouth Volleyball Association, the area association for volleyball, for the last 16 years. Member of the committee for 41 years.
- Tournament Director and founder (1995) of the Sandbanks Beach Volleyball Festival, the largest in Britain. Over 300 teams compete in 26 competitions, including the British Open and the British Junior Championships.
| SWVA Awards 2012 |
2012 Doreen Dingle Award for Administration: Dave Robson
Role: Secretary Cornwall Volleyball Association, coach and Referee
Successes achieved: 30 years, probably more.
Dave has been secretary of the Cornwall Association for over 20 years. He has passed it on whenever he went to sea but was always asked to do it again when he returned. In the good times he is supportive of new initiatives and helps. In the bad times, and there have been several, he keeps the Association ticking over until others come along to help.
2012 Bert Williams Referee Award: Andrew Smith
Role: Calne Comets VC
Successes achieved: Upgraded to Grade II Referee, selected for Olympics as line judge
Andy has lived and worked in the Calne area for about 10 years. He has refereed for most of that time both in the Wiltshire League and National League. He has also spent the past 5 years on the National Technical Officer (NTO) programme which has been training line judges and scorers for the Olympics and Paralympics.
Much of this training has involved going to top NVL matches at his own expense, and he has regularly line-judged at national and national and international events. This has culminated in Andy’s selection for the Olympics.
Andy is an ‘unsung hero’ who quietly gets on with the job taking all the normal refereeing challenges in his stride. He is highly thought of amoungst his peers and sets a fine example for lesser experienced referees.
2012 SW Coach Award: Jose Castro
Role: Team South Wales/ Head CoachWales Boys/ Head coachUWIC Junior Academy / Head Coach
Successes achieved: Jose has coached Team South Wales to become a successful team. Successes last year include Winning the NVL play-offs and promotion to Division 1, winning the National Shield Final, winning the South West Champs, and winning the Cardiff Open.
Jose has without question raised the professionalism of coaching and volleyball in Wales. He has consistently committed his personal time to developing our NVL team, as well as being the coach of the Welsh Junior Boys squad and coaching in schools. Jose’s professionalism is outstanding and he runs our team as if it were professional.
He has pushed for us to train up to three times a week, for two hours per session, plus been at every game, home and away. Even with this level of personal commitment he looks to do more and to take us further. Every session is meticulously planned and led with enthusiasm and I can honestly say we have enjoyed every one of the many training sessions we’ve done.
Commitment to SW Volleyball Award: Sue Pierce
Role: She has retired from active involvement, but her legacy lives on with Melksham playing an active part in SW Junior Competitions
Successes achieved: Sue has played at the highest levels – NVL and England over many years earlier in her volleyball career. It is however as a teacher, coach and club leader that I believe she deserves this award.
Under her leadership Sue has produced large numbers of very high standard volleyball players for George Ward, Melksham, regional squads and England squads. In doing so she has flown the flag not only for volleyball in the local area but in the SW as well – there are so many excellent young people who have gone on to be ambassadors for the club, and for the region.
