Veteran Sports Awards

Sport does not stop at 40 ! Sport does not stop when you reach middle age and achievements for those competing as veterans are also considered and recognised where applicable. These awards are open to both male and female competing in sport at county level and above. Nomination forms are available on request from Sept 1st to Dec 1st annually from either the Borough Council (01256 845442) or the Local Sports Council (Sue Hillyard - 01256 811478). They can be either posted or emailed by return. Last years two finalists for the Veteran Ladies award were - Pauline Davis (Badminton) Represented England in World Badminton 2007 Championships in Taiwan winning Gold in the ladies singles over 55, silver in the ladies doubles over 55 and bronze in the mixed over 50. Also won the all England veterans ladies doubles title for Over 55. Represented England in the 5 Nations cup against Denmark, Germany and Holland last November and was Ladies doubles National Champion Over 55 for 2007 Jean Maton (Powerlifting) Jean has had another successful year and still continues to inspire all involved in her sport of powerlifting through her enthusiasm and total dedication. Her achievements this year include British Masters Champion, 3rd Europeans in Poland, 3rd World Masters in the Czech Republic, 1st European Masters – Czech Republic and 1st Western European Cup in Belgium. Men's Finalists were - Steve Bond (Gymnastics) Steve competed in the British Gymnastic veterans in 2007 and his early scores were extremely close to his main opposition on the first three pieces of equipment. However, Steve unfortunately landed badly during a front somersault as the only over 40 competing on the high bar. Steve pulled out all the stops and including a new move performed an outstanding routine to earn himself a well deserved National Silver medal. Morris Dick (Swimming) Morris has had a very good year both nationally and Internationally finishing nationally top-ranked in three distances at Breastroke. His major results for 2007 were - Guernsey International Masters – 1st 50M / 100m / 200M, European Masters Championships – 9th 50M, 5th 100M & 6th 200M, GB Masters Championships - 1st 100M, 2nd 50M & 200M, ASA National Masters – 1st 50M, 2nd 100M & 200M, Glasgow Masters – 1st 50M, 100M & 200M, Bracknell Open Masters - 1st 50m, Welsh Open Masters – 1st 100M. His main focus at present is preparing for the World Masters Championships in Perth, Australia in April 2008. David Elderfield (Athletics) An Italian job by David saw him return from the world Masters championships in Riccione with two gold medals and one silver. He brushed aside opposition to win the age 50-54 400M and after his individual success, David collected another gold in the 4x100M relay. He missed a third goal by inches in the 4x400 relay with his team pipped on the line and dropped to Silver. David’s title in 2007 was his 4th consecutive world championship 400M victory starting in Brisbane in 2001. His record now comprises two outdoor and two indoor world titles. David Davenport (Swimming) David’s first real swimming success at 50 was to be ranked 7th in the world for 1,500m short course in 2002. He has had British and European success since and in 2007 became the 50-54 year 800m Freestyle champion at the British Short Course championships for the second time. He also competed in the British Masters Decathlon which scores over a series of events and finished a creditable 29th out of 1,400 competitors. Don Powell – Basingstoke Athletics Club Don has over the past year taken on a new event for him while continuing as a middle distance runner on the track and also committed to seeing developments in Road Running Don has taken on Race Walking. He is always placed in the top 3 at local competition when many of those he is against have been doing the event for several years more than Don. Apart from this he took over the mantle of Veteran Team Manager a couple of years ago and has shown himself to be a superb motivator and inspiration, leading the team to League Champion status in successive years. 2005 Veteran Male Lance Kinder (Squash) pictured below with Veteran Female Jean Maton (Powerlifting) also went on to win the Hampshire & Isle of Wight County Award for 2005. 08/08/2008