TOP shooter and Olympic judge Bill Bond has added another trophy to his burgeoning cabinet after being named as Felixstowe’s sports personality of the year.
Mr Bond, a member of the Felixstowe Rifle Club, was one of a number of outstanding individual competitors, teams and officials honoured by the Felixstowe and District Council for Sport and Recreation.
Presenting the awards at the ceremony at Felixstowe Town Hall, mayor Mike Deacon praised the talents, skills, enthusiasm and commitment of the resort’s sports players – from youngest to the oldest, and those behind the scenes working hard to ensure the town has the facilities needed and clubs keep running.
Sports council chairman, Michael Sharman said: “We had some exceptional nominations this year and once again it was very hard to decide the winners with so much talent to choose from.
“There is a large number of people involved in a wide range of sports in Felixstowe and some great opportunities for people to get involved either competitively or in helping to organise clubs, and train and coach players.”
Lacey’s Fitness Sports Personality of the Year – Bill Bond
Following three years of training, Bill qualified as an international judge and was selected as an official at all the Olympic shooting events for London 2012.
He was also a range officer for the 10m air gun and 50m rifle and pistol events at the Paralympics, overseeing all the shooting. He is now hoping to play a similar role at Rio 2016.
Bill won county titles for the individual shooting leagues for both 25 yards and 50m last year and was second in the 100yds, and runner-up in the county championship, having won it in 2011. He was first in the county senior championship for the second year running. He also won national and club titles.
Pierrot Stationers Junior Sports Personality of the Year – Matthew Haskell
All-rounder Matthew had a superb season at several sports.
A member of Felixstowe Road Runners, the 14-year-old won his age class in an English School Athletics Association event and went onto represent Suffolk at Nottingham, where he came 13th out of 70.
He was top scorer for Felixstowe and Walton Utd under 14s A team, won best bowler for Felixstowe and Corinthians Youth Cricket Club, and a silver award with Felixstowe Waves swimming club.
Felixstowe Star Team of the Year – Felixstowe and Corinthians Youth Cricket Club
In 2012, the club – which has 100 boys and girls – won four out of the five competitions it entered.
Its main triumph was in the cup in the Ipswich and District Youth League, ending a fantastic season with a 28 run win over Woolpit.
Eastcliff Carpets Club Official of the Year – David Alford
David began playing for the Felixstowe Rugby Union Football Club back in 1985 when he was 18, making the first 15 three years later and holding a first team place until he was 36.
Since then he has spent time coaching junior players, as well as being a regular committee member and involved in many activities, including membership, organising sponsors for the club handbook and representing the club on the county committee.
Walton Barbers Service to Sport Award - Wendy Wootton
A member of Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club since 1996, Wendy has served as Lady Captain and has been junior organiser since 2004.
She has overseen several junior players progressing to single handicap, some of whom have represented the club at county, national and international competitions. Last year the juniors won two Suffolk team trophies.
She visits local schools with the club professional to introduce Tri-Golf to encourage children as young as five to take up golf, is the club’s director of marketing and membership, and organises an annual open day.
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