CLUB NEWS: Hawks stage presentation evening

HETHERSETT HAWKS / YELLOW BRICK MORTGAGES staged their annual Presentation Evening at Hethersett Social Club and those present could celebrate a number of successes in 2024 and it was a chance to make some special presentations.  The El-Labany siblings were the biggest achievers with Luca winning the British Youth & junior League Under-12 Grand Prix series and sister Nyla winning the Little League British Under-10 Girls Championship.

Presentation of Club Awards started with Harley Hamill getting the First Team Top Scorer trophy followed by Commitment Awards to Arlo Davies (Club Events) and Lola Martin (Competitions).  Team managers took the stage to present their Rider of the Season awards to Amelia Dodson (Youth team) and Paul Delaiche (First Team).

Next up were the coaches and, after making the various session awards to Levi Moreland, Isaac Ems, Lola Martin and Jamie Neil, the major award went to Ross Carman, who travels long distance to sessions and gives 100%.   Committee members had voted online for the next batch of trophies to Best Newcomers – Levi Moreland, Noah Quick and Tyler Fenton – and Most Improved Riders – Jax Lockhart, Isaac Emms and a shared Under-14 award for Arlo Davies and Micael Whitfield.

A Special Achievement Award went to Levi Moreland who overcame acute shyness to even train but ended up entering competitions including Little League events in Oxford.  Chairman Mel Perkins then presented his annual award to the Club member of the Year.  The major change at the track was the highlight with the arrival of two new containers that are being customized to provide a toilet for riders and officials, a kitchen and officials’ room.  So, it was fitting that the award was shared between Project Manager Sacha El-Labany and Fund-Raiser Anna Clarke.

The final awards are the most prestigious because they are voted for by the members at the meeting – Sports Person of the Year.  This season the honours went to Arlo Davies (Young Sports Person) and Charlotte El-Labany (Sports Person).  However, there were two final special presentations – to Gill Nelson, who has made starting tapes for over 30 years, and to Dave Martin to mark him becoming the third Hawk to reach 200 League appearances.   All major helpers were given presentations courtesy of evening sponsors Fedex who also provided all the trophies.

Some members are preparing for indoor championships in January while others are sampling cyclo-cross before next season starts in March.