Tamworth AC Awards Presentation 2024
A few words from the Club Chairman, Paul Tasker:
“Apologies from myself for not being at this year’s presentation. Big thanks again to all Coaches, Team Managers, Volunteers & Parents as without you all that goes on wouldn’t happen.
Welcome to all new members at the club; it’s been a good year for everyone.
The Track leagues have had mixed fortunes. The Lower Age Youth Development League team won their Division, missed out on promotion in the paper match play-off, but also showed what a great team bond we had with many top 3 places. The Upper Age Youth Development League team position was just about numbers, nevertheless there were good individual performances.
The Vets League was good to see a few ladies joining in and having a go along with the men’s team.
In the Midland Senior League, sad to say that we will be relegated due to lack of numbers in the team. Also, Rob James is stepping down after many glorious years of being Team Manager. Rob has done a fantastic job getting a team together with so many different names and faces.
Congratulations to all winners tonight; you have deserved these awards through your own hard work.
All the best, Paul”
Certificates of Club Records Broken in 2024
ACADEMY AWARDS 2024
Girl Cross Country (Winter 2023/24 Season)
After a strong winter in the West Midlands Young Athletic Cross Country League, this athlete shows great potential going forward. She is a gutsy runner and gives her all to each race.
The Girls Cross Country winner is Lacey Eaton
Boy Cross Country (Winter 2023/24 Season)
It’s amazing to think that this under 11 athlete has completed his 3rd season of cross country for the club. Improving year on year, he is following in his older sister’s footsteps showing great endurance in his running.
The Boys Cross Country winner is Felix Farmer
Girl Field Athlete 2024
With strong performances in both the Heart of England League and the Lower Youth Development League, this athlete showed her strength in shot putt, discus and javelin.In the eight events she competed in, she was first in 6 of them, closely missing out on the other two.
The Academy Girls Field Athlete for 2024 is Tiarna Russell.
oy Field Athlete 2024
With a much-improved focus and commitment this year, this athlete competed in all the Heart of England and YDL matches. He was Tamworth’s stand out athlete in shot & discus and his improvement is down to his hard training and willingness to learn.
The Academy Boys Field Athlete for 2024 is Samson Chapangara.
Girl Track Athlete 2024
What can you say about this athlete? A Class Act…
With great performances in the 75mtrs, and an unbeaten season in the 600mtrs, where she broke the club record to show her dominance, she is setting her targets high for the future.
Next season competing at under 13’s will open many more doors for her.
The Academy Girls Track Athlete for 2024 is Darcey Wileman.
Boy Track Athlete 2024
Another athlete who competed in both YDL & Heart of England. No distance was too much for him as competed in races from 75mtrs to 1200mtrs. He produced Tamworth’s best under 13 boy’s results in 150mtrs, 200mtrs & 1200mtrs.
The Academy Boys Track Athlete for 2024 is Thomas Bennett.
Girl Coaches Award 2024
This under 11 athlete competed in all 3 Heart of England meetings. She was entered in all events – 75mtrs, 600mtrs, long jump and her favoured event the Howler. She always shows great determination and commitment, with her “have a go” and “try your hardest” attitude in training. This helped with her improvement in all events, and as coaches we cannot wait to see how she progresses.
The Coaches Award for Girls 2024 goes to Summar Bisel
Boy Coaches Award 2024
This young athlete will be moving into under 13’s next year where he will be great asset to the club. He competes in cross country during the winter, and sprints, middle distance, jumps and throws during the summer. He rarely misses training and is a pleasure to coach.
The Coaches Award for Boys 2024 goes to Kian Griffiths
Academy Best Newcomer 2024
Competitions for this athlete only started halfway through the season. But in such a short season for him he was Tamworth’s best under 13 boy in long jump, high jump, 75mtrs and 1500mtrs. As he grows in confidence and learns more skills going forward, you can see he is going to mature into an outstanding athlete.
The Academy Best Newcomer is Jakub Weyer
Most Improved Academy Athlete 2024 – The Steve Wheeler Award
This athlete has come out of his shell competing in all club competitions, gaining personnel best performances almost every time he competes. Whether it be track or field, he is willing to have a go and give his best, scoring numerous points for the team in both YDL & Heart of England leagues. Showing great potential going forward this athlete can be proud of what he has done this year.
The Academy Most Improved athlete 2024 is Henry Rogers
Academy Athlete of the Year 2024 – The Steve Wheeler Award
This young athlete will fill the void in next seasons under 13’s team when the older athletes move up to under 15’s. Competing for the club in all Heart of England competitions, this athlete was the highest performing 75mtr sprinter and long jumper for Tamworth. Also competing in 600mtrs & in the winter cross country, she has shown she is the all-round athlete. In training she listens all the time and takes coaches comments on board. When she emerges from the academy her true potential will be shown.
The Academy Athlete of the Year 2024 is Freya Draycott
West Midlands Cross Country Female Athlete (Winter 2023-24 Season)
Jessica Salt
West Midlands Cross Country Male Athlete (Winter 2023-24 Season)
Felix Farmer
West Midlands Senior Men’s Cross Country 2024
Peter Hackett
Peter had a clean sweep of 1st Places in all league matches this season. Team Manager Howard said that he is the only athlete to do this in his living memory
West Midlands Senior Ladies Cross Country 2024
Rebecca Hobbs
Rebecca ran in all 4 matches with a heavy cold in 1, a slight injury in another, and still kept the team spirit going strong. She recorded her highest place of 15th overall and 3rd in the V35 rankings.
Female Veteran of 2024
Sarah Jemmett
Sarah ran 3 out of 4 meets, always doing multiple events from 100m to 3k to shotput.
Male Veteran of 2024
Colin Pleass
Colin attended all Vets matches and won the 100m & 200m every time with some excellent Power of 10 ratings in both events. (26th in 100m and 36th in 200m) He also displayed his field event skills taking part in javelin where he is ranked 13th, shotput and long-jump.
Highest Ranked U13/15 from Power of 10 – 2024
There have been some good performances from under 13 & 15’s this season giving high UK rankings for some of our athletes.
Some of the higher ranked athletes are –
Emily Webb for 100mtrs, 200mtrs & high jump.
Brodie Horler for 60mtrs, 150mtrs & long jump.
And both Alex Hall in 600m & Tilly Farmer for 600mtrs & Pentathlon.
Due to a late entry, we have 2 equal rankings this year.
The under 13 girls 4 x 100mtr relay team.
They are ranked 7th with 53.9sec and have broken the club record 3 times this season.
3 of the teams above then are County teams not club teams, so this is a great level for the girls to be at.
The team consists of Oliva Francis, Emily Webb, Rosa Farmer & Brodie Horler.
Their target next season is the under 15 girls club record of 53.0 seconds from 2014.
Also,
Isla Rogers in the under 15 girl’s javelin.
She is ranked 7th with a throw of 36.02mtrs which also breaks the club record for her age group. And if she had thrown this at English Schools Champs, she would have walked away with a bronze medal.
Heart of England Female Athlete 2024
This athlete competed in under 15 girls shot, javelin & discuss at each of this year’s Heart of England matches. She threw personal bests in shot of 8.45mtrs and javelin 22mtrs and was just 50cms short of discus best of 16.73mtrs. She scored a fantastic 44 points over the 3 fixtures finishing no lower than 3rd place in any of her events.
The Heart of England Female Athlete of the year is Ellie Lewis.
Heart of England Male Athlete 2024
This young athlete competed in all of this seasons Heart of England matches He attained personal best performances in long jump – 4.07mtrs, 300mtrs – 48.9seconds, 1500mtrs – 4min 46.3seconds and was just a bum cheek away from equalling his high jump best of 1.40mtrs. He contributed 43 individual points over the 3 matches and was also part of the 4 x 100mtr relay team that scored another 7 points.
The Heart of England Male Athlete of the year is Alex Haywood.
Heart of England Best Performance 2024
After all Heart of England League competitions, the league looks at all 3 matches and selects the best individual performance for all events in each age group. The league then issues medals for these best performances.
Unfortunately, the medals have not arrived yet, but we will still like to call these athletes forward, and will be getting the medals to them when they arrive. If you could please step forward when you are called out.
For under 11 female –
Darcey Wileman in the 600mtrs – 1min 55.7sec
For under 13 male –
Alex Hall in the 1500mtrs – 5min 17.5sec
For under 13 female –
Tilly Farmer in the 800mtrs – 2min 37.4sec
Emily Webb in the 100mtrs – 13.7sec
Brodie Horler in the long jump – 4.51mtrs
Brodie Horler in the 200mtrs – 27.70sec
For under 15 female –
Isla Rogers in the javelin – 26.83mtrs
For under 17/20 female –
Jessica Salt in the 1500mtrs – 4min 58.6sec
Chloe Purkis in the high jump – 1.47mtrs
Youth Development League Lower Age Girl 2024
It was very difficult to separate out one girl from an outstanding team who performed across the board. (For context the under 13 & under 15 girls won 52 events in the 3 matches!) This year I nominate this young lady. She racked up a total of 7 individual victories across the 3 matches, plus relay wins, England Athletics grade 8 & 9 performances, and top 40 rankings for both 150m and Long Jump.
Brodie Horler
Youth Development League Lower Age Boy 2024
This young man was ever present and filled his events every time. Some outstanding running performances to achieve 5 wins in the season, 62 points for the team, and another Club Record in the 1200m.
Alex Hall
Youth Development League Upper Age Female Athlete 2024
This was a great year for this athlete moving up into the Upper Age Group with excellent sprint performances in all 3 matches. She gained 47 points for the club and even stepped into javelin and triple jump to boost the club performance.
Emily Stephens
Youth Development League Upper Age Male Athlete 2024
Another selfless season for this young man who attended all matches competing in 5 events every time. He amassed a staggering 116 points for the team (20% of the team total), 3 event wins, multiple PB’s and part of the team breaking the Mixed 4x400m Club Record.
Ben Godber
Junior Field Athlete 2024
This young athlete has national rankings in the javelin, shot & hammer this year including top 80 for hammer. She has 4 league event wins this year, and a significant improvement in all disciplines. The award goes to:
Ellie Lewis
Senior Field Athlete 2024
This athlete is our best ever pole vaulter, and her club record now stands at 3.60m. She is also the best triple jumper that the club has had for the best part of 20 years, and a useful long jumper too. The award goes to:
Isla Crameri
Male Sprinter of the Year 2024
The athlete receiving this award is our top ranked sprinter over both 200m and 400m and has been a stalwart supporter of the senior team, competing in multiple events at each fixture. Despite his advancing years, he has lowered his 400m PB 4 times this year to 47.61 and his 200m PB twice to 22.31. All in all, not bad for an 800m runner who has also lowered his PB in that event to 1.50.90
The Male Sprinter for the Year for 2024 is Tom Ainsworth.
Female Sprinter of the Year 2024
Even though this sprinter has only competed a few times for the club this season, she has proved she is the fastest. Due to university and work commitment’s, it has been difficult to get to the majority of meetings, but when she does compete, she shows her class. She competes in the 100mtrs, 200mtrs and 4 x 100mtr relay.
The Female Sprinter for the Year for 2024 is Emma Pulcella.
Male Indoor Athlete of the year 2024
This first year under 17 athlete has raced indoors at Sportcity Manchester & Loughborough University. With good performances in 60mtrs – 7.81sec, 200mtrs – 25.67sec & a high jump of 1.55mtrs. As a club we look forward to his progression into the senior ranks.
The Male Indoor Athlete for 2024 is Thomas Ladkin
Female Indoor Athlete of the year 2024
This under 13 athlete competed indoors for the first time this season and it proved to suit her very well. She broke the 60mtrs club record with 8.48 seconds that ranks her 17th in the UK, and her time of 27.98 seconds for the 200mtrs ranks her 8th in the UK indoors. Hopefully looking to progress and break some under 15 records next season,
The Female Indoor Athlete of the Year 2024 is Brodie Horler.
Midland League Senior Female Athlete 2024
This young lady has competed in all 5 Senior League meetings and what a range: 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m and both relays. She has also filled in throwing a shot and doing the long jump. She is a quality athlete and her commitment to the club is exceptional. The award goes to:
Jessica Salt
Midland League Senior Male Athlete 2024
This gentleman is a joy to have available for selection. He’s happy to accept (within reason) whatever event he’s offered. He has competed in 100m, 400m, Hammer, Shot, Long Jump, both relays and even helps to officiate when necessary. He is happy just to be involved and as Team Manager Rob James says “I’m delighted he’s around” This award goes to:
Christian Bruss
English Schools Athlete of 2024
This young lady has had the highest finish of Tamworth athletes selected for the English Schools this year finishing 6th in the Junior Girls javelin with a throw of 31.55m:
Isla Rogers
Martyn Naughton Memorial Cup
This award is for the highest placed 800m & 1500m athlete of 2024 and the award goes to:
Lottie McLaren
Stevenson Cup for Volunteer of 2024
This gentleman works tirelessly at a lot of things for the club, namely managing the Heart of England teams, maintenance jobs around the stadium, and especially the academy and has done for a number of years. He is an asset to the academy and does a great job as a coach at every session.
Matt Evans
Chairmans Award 2024
This man works tirelessly for his athletes, always turns out to support them throughout the year, and has been an immense help to Ben Evans and all the athletes throughout the Cross Country Season. On a more personal note from Ben, he wanted to mention how Colin took time out to visit him in hospital this year after surgery, and also at home after being discharged, which says a lot about him.
Colin Pleass
And the last award of the evening is: Athlete of the Year
The last award of the night goes to an athlete who needs little introduction
Having competed on the International stage this year at the European Championships qualifying for the semi-finals in the hardest heat, and also ranked 7th in the UK this year over 800m.
Tom has shown real grit and determination shaking off injury to run an outstanding 1:44.90 and just missing out on an Olympic qualifying time for Paris.
What is more Tom has at all times possible promoted his connection with the club wearing his TAC colours at the British Champs finishing in 4th place. He has drawn on his experience as a full time athlete to help with the development of athletes in the club.
As a club we are immensely proud of all that Tom has achieved this year, and we are certain that next year will lead to bigger and better things for him.
Tamworth’s athlete of the year is Tom Randolph.
Tamworth Athletic Club 
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