24 Apr 2007 - FDSO Awards - We have FOUR winners

The Federation of Disability Sports Organisation's annual award ceremony for the Yorkshire & Humberside region, held at Elland Road last Friday evening, saw no fewer than four members of our group receiving recognition of their achievements during the past year. Megan Herbert won the Most Promising Junior Newcomer (female) award; Lynne Burnley won the Most Promising Senior Newcomer (female) and Paul Kitchingman won the Most Promising Senior Newcomer (male). In view of these great results it was hardly surprising that instructor Elaine Goodall was judged to have merited the Coach of the Year award. It is to Elaine's credit that she gained this award despite having a debilitating illness for much of the year.

In all, nineteen awards were presented on the night so we did exceptionally well to gain four of them. Other nominees from our group (for various categories) were: Richard Bromley, Nikki Francis, Bernadette Spellman, Ruth Thornton and Kathryn Wheelock.

Last year we received two awards from the FDSO. Anne & Bruce Everall, owners of Acrecliffe Equestrian Centre, were presented with the Contribution from Industry award and deaf/blind rider Mandy Schofield won the Most Promising Senior Newcomer. We will have to work exceptionally hard to better this year's results but are sure that all our members will rise to the challenge.

Congratulations also to Norman Stephens of Otley Sailing Club's 'Sail Free' Section who was presented with the Service to Disabled Sport award. What an evening for Otley!

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