Nottingham, UK, based Absolute Triathlon Club was named Sports Club of the Year at the Nottingham Sports Awards held at the Council House in Nottingham on Thursday 24 November. The awards, presented by BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Darren Fletcher, look to recognise and reward the contribution to sport being made by local clubs, individuals and volunteers in the city.
The Nottingham Sports Club of the Year Award acknowledges a club that is able to demonstrate development/sustainability, implements new initiatives to further develop the club, and serves its community providing sport or physical activity of the highest standard, demonstrated by a dedicated and proud membership and offers reward, recognition and development to its volunteers.
Head Coach Steve Lloyd, fresh from his recent British Triathlon Award was also shortlisted for Coach of the Year, narrowly missing out to football coach Colin Cook.
Jayne Lloyd, Club Secretary, said “We are thrilled to have won this important award especially considering the high calibre of nominations and the quality and range of sporting activities available in Nottingham. We are very proud to be part of the vibrant sporting scene in our city and raising the profile of the fantastic sport of triathlon.”
Club Chairman Steve Lloyd added, “Absolute Triathlon Club have gone from strength to strength in 2011 catering for triathletes of all abilities and all ages. The Sunday junior club is now so popular that we have a waiting list and we had 25 children registered for the British Triathlon Race Series this year compared to just 2 in 2010, three of our Junior athletes have subsequently won regional awards; improved female athlete, improved male athlete and a top 3 place for the TriStart Girls category.
“We have quickly established ourselves as a major player in the region – I have no doubt that this pattern will continue into 2012 and beyond. We remain committed to encouraging new members to try triathlon and actively support beginners as well as those who will be representing GB in their age group at the European and World Triathlon Championships next year. Our membership has steadily increased to just under 200 this year and the club continues to thrive and be an active part of the community in Nottingham – all this from a club that was only launched in 2009.”
The awards event was held in the prestigious Nottingham Council House and was attended by over 160 people involved with sport across the city including Nottingham Forest and Notts County Football Clubs, Nottingham Rugby Club, Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and the Panthers. The after dinner speech was made by inspirational Paratriathlete Haseeb Ahmad from Leicester.
