Sedgefield Harriers win England Athletics National Development Club of the Year
Some of the biggest names in athletics have joined coaches, officials and other volunteers from clubs across England at the England Athletics Hall of Fame and National Volunteer Awards night. And distance running legend Haile Gebreselassie also dropped in to pay tribute to the work done by people to support athletics in England.
The night saw volunteers who provide such an invaluable service to the sport honoured in the National Volunteer Awards as some of the biggest names in English athletics were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
At the start of the evening distance running legend Haile Gebreselassie appeared on stage with Kath Merry to pay tribute to the work done in athletics across England and spoke in glowing terms of what he has seen of the sport in England. He also made specific mention of the importance of coaching in any athlete's development.
As well as Hall of Fame inductees - both those attending to be inducted this year and those from previous year's - other big name athletes were also present to give their support and join in the celebration of those people being recognised.
Development Club of the year: Sedgefield Harriers
Six years after Sedgefield Harriers were formed, they now boast a membership that exceeds 60 adults and 120 juniors. These athletes are supported by a network of 16 coaches delivering up to 13 training sessions per week covering the breadth of athletic events all ages. This work has also seen the club gain England Athletics Club Mark status. The Club has three coaches enrolled on Local Coach Development Programme. The Club also uses Athletics 365, the Academy Awards and Startrack holiday programmes to help with the development of its junior athletes.
Find out full winners and more information on the England Athletics website