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17/11/2022 00:00, In Blog / Club Notice Board /

Last weekend saw the return of our Annual Awards Evening at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. Throughout the evening we celebrated all the brilliant individuals, groups and clubs who have contributed towards our sport.

James Williams, CEO of Welsh Athletics shared:

A big thank you to everyone who came and supported our 2022 Annual Awards Evening. It was great to see so many people come together to celebrate all the brilliant achivements throughout our sport. For those that were unable to make it, I want to extend a personal thanks for all your efforts throughout the year. 

During the evening, a raffle was held to help raise funds for the Bigmoose charity. We are delighted to share a total of £883.35 was rasied! A big thank you to all the companies who provided a prize and to everyone who donated.  

Hannah Phillips from Run Wales, with Chloe Smith and Jeff Smith from Big Moose sharing their story.

Athlete Award Winners

The Junior Male Athlete of the Year was won by Zico Jones. He has lit up the junior sprints scene this year. In his first season over the 400M he picked up Gold at the England Athletics Championships in Bedford, following a hugely successfu Indoor season.

Ophelia Pye picked up the Junior Female Athlete of the Year. She dominated the field at the European U18 Championships in Jerusalem in her first season over 400M Hurdles, where she won Gold.

Commonwealth Games Co-Captain and Gold Medalist Olivia Breen picked up two awards, Senior Female Athlete of the year and Athlete's Athlete of the year. 

Senior Male Athlete of the Year was won by Jake Heyward. He represented Wales at the Commonwealth Games and finished fifth in what was a 1500m final, reached the World Championships final,and took home a European Silver medal all in the same season.

Jeremiah Azu the first Welsh man to run sub-10 in the 100M, won Performance of the Year. He picked up the British title, represented Wales at the Commonwealth Games finishing in fiifth, and took home a individual Bronze Medal in the 100M and a Gold in the relay at the European Championships.

Ophelia Pye - Junior Female Athlete of the Year 2022

Coaching Award Winners

The Participation Coach of the Year was won by Darryn McAtee. Five of his athletes were slected to represent Wales at Schools Internationals.

Helen James picked up the Performance Coach of the Year, until recently coached Jermeiah Azu, the current British 100M Champion.

Helen James - Performance Coach of the Year 2022

Club Award Winners

Menai Track & Field took home the Development Club of the Year award. It has been a hugely successful season winning their YDL League and producing 35 Regional and National Champions across various disciplines. The club boasts over 200 members across all ages and abilties.

The Junior Club of the Year award was won by Cardiff Archers, the club has seen an 18% growth in its Junior Memberships this year. The club has had great performances in the Youth Development League and toped the Junior Track & Field Championship table in the summer.

Menai Track & Field - Development Club of the Year

Official Award Winners

Newcomer to Officiating was won by Tracey Weetman, Menai Track & Field. She has worked hard to upskill herself all the way to a Level 2 Field Judge in this year alone. She has been ever present at events from Youth Development Leagues all the way to National Championships, and has been a huge motivator for other officials in the area to follow in her footsteps. 

Official of the Year was won by Sue Maughan and to one of the mosthigh-level officials in Welsh Athletics. She can be found supporting local meetings and mentoring others there, and can also be found at major Championship meetings, and her adventures can be followed using the hashtag #spotSue on Twitter!  Most recently, she was appointed as the National Technical Director at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

Sue Maughan - Official of the Year 2022

Volunteer Award Winners

Newport Harriers took home the Volunteer awards. 

Claire Barraclough won the Volunteer of the Year award. Claire supports volunteers across the club from the club shop to qualified officials. 

Allison Werner took home the Services to Club Development award, she has devoted her time to set up and run multiple compeitions on behalf of the club and has played a pivotal role in modernising the club.

Claire Barraclough - Volunteer of the Year 2022

Run Wales Award Winners

Just Run Penybont won the Clwb Run Wales Group of the Year award. Taking a fully inclusive approach to social running, their leaders have successfully set up a visually impaired group for runners in their area, run a specific group for mens’ mental health, and carry out a number of fundraising events for charities including MIND.

Run Wales Volunteer of the Year award went to Paula Jones. She has developed a team of Run Leaders for Porth Eirias Runners and expanded the range of sessions on offer to runners, and has taken on organisation of the local parkrun too.

Just Run Penybont - Clwb Run Wales of the Year 2022

Keep up-to-date on our social channels for more celebration photos of our winners.