RIDER NEWS: Copping wins Wilkinson Sword award for 2024

February 19, 2025 Steve Copping

Steve Copping has created history by becoming the first Norwich rider to be awarded the Wilkinson Sword. Steve was nominated for the award for his outstanding contribution to keeping this website up and running as well as bringing the Results Archive as up to date as possible. The Cycle Speedway Commission also recognised Steve’s service as team manager of Ireland (a role which he has held since 2014) and also his time as a referee. This is Steve’s biggest accomplishment in all of his time in Cycle Speedway which stretches way back to 1988

Steve received the award at the South-East Region AGM at Great Blakenham from Commission member Charlie-Jane Herbert on Sunday February 2nd after plans to present it to him at the British Indoor Championships and then the Little League Indoor Championships fell through due to Steve not being able to attend either of those events

The Wilkinson Sword Award of Merit was launched in 1979 with the aim of recognising outstanding contribution to Cycle Speedway. Below is a list of those who have won the award since 1979:

1979 – Derek Garnett

1980 – Pip Serbert

1981 – Rod Witham

1982 – Robin Martakies

1983 – Australian Touring Team

1984 – James Varnish

1985 – Rod Witham

1986 – Pete Young

1987 Rod Witham & Ken Fraser

1988 – Mel Perkins

1989 – Bill Gill

1990 – Fred Rothwell