The High Peak Sports Awards held in the Octagon, Pavilion Gardens were a celebration of the best clubs, individuals, volunteers and coaches throughout the High Peak and their efforts to promote sport throughout the area. It was an inspirational evening bringing together an eclectic mix from a range of different sporting genres ranging from football and netball, through to martial arts and fencing – local achievements to national and world class performances.
Buxton Athletic Club were represented in a variety of categories for the achievements and service that the club provides to the community here in Buxton. Sheila Bradley was nominated and came runner up in the “Services To Sport” category. Sheila has been “the beating heart” of the Club for over 30 years, taking on various roles from Club Secretary, to race organiser and has been an inspiration to Club Members young and old – leading groups, promoting the Club and representing Buxton in a variety of events. She is an avid fund raiser for Buxton’s partnership charity The Thomas Theyer Award and along with her husband Jim, lifelong President of the Club, has made Buxton AC the National award winning, community gem that it is!
Buxton AC Junior Will Longden was runner up in the category of “Junior Sportsman of the Year.” Will took the Fellrunning scene by storm in his very first season! Having won several local races, Will joined the Buxton team to take on the English Junior Fellrunning Championships – a series of 6 races undertaken in some of the most challenging mountainous landscapes the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and Derbyshire have to offer. Will put in outstanding performances throughout the series to take overall Silver in the Under 15 boys Championships. Next year he will be old enough to compete for National qualification so has an England vest in his sights! Expect great things in the future from Will!
In the “Junior Team of the Year” category the Buxton AC Juniors were runners up in the Club category while the schools category was won by the Chapel School Fell Running Team. The team who consist of Will Longden, Sam Soles, Stu and Ed Diamond won team Bronze medals at the English Schools Fellrunning Championships held in Sedburgh. All four boys are members of Buxton AC juniors and were also part of the Buxton AC Juniors Fell team who came 4th team in the English Junior Fellrunning Championships out of over 59 Clubs taking part.
Finally, in the last category of the evening Rachel Dowle was runner up in the “Coach of The Year.” Rachel said, “I accept this nomination for all the amazing volunteer coaches and assistant coaches at Buxton AC who work tirelessly to support the youngsters to reach their potential, appreciate the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and simply enjoy sport! I am so humbled to have been nominated, it is reward enough to see the youngsters enjoying their running, making friends and making progress but it is also lovely to have your efforts recognised. Buxton AC has given me and my family so much over the years – community, support, friendship – I am so glad to be able to give something back!”