Senior Sports Official

Sports and events within Basingstoke cannot take place without officials. Be they Referees, Timekeepers, Umpires, Scorekeepers etc they are key to any sport and especially those involving serious competition. Basingstoke & Deane are fortunate to have a wide number of sports taking part on a weekly basis and some high standard officials supporting them. Three excellent nominations were nominated and considered for the 2019 Award with details below -

Claire Cundy – Gymnastics

Claire put herself forward as a judge to help support the squad so they could enter competitions. She had to attend a course to become a qualified judge and has now been judging for Basingstoke Gymnastics Club for 9 years. She has committed to attending around 6-10 events within each year.  Within these nine years Claire has passed her qualifications to become a qualified judge multiple times to make sure she is up to date with the latest code changes.  Without Claire the gymnasts will not be able to compete as you need to have a judge to enter any competition. This has been a great support for the club and the gymnasts to help give them the opportunities they deserve.

Eric Esslemont – BMX Racing

Eric has many roles as a volunteer and official in the sport of BMX Racing in the South Region, and in 2019 has driven his club to some great fundraising success in excess of £20000. Eric also showed willingness as a race official and operated as a Chief Commissaire at South Regional Race Days. On the Coaching side of his volunteer roles, Eric was involved in the delivery of the Regional Talent Pathways and as Andover BMX Club Chairman, British Cycling L2 Coach and Discipline specific L2 BMX & CX (Cyclocross), Committee member and BC Commissaire he is a fully engaged Volunteer for Andover & South Region BMX. He is a dedicated volunteer at club sessions coaching all spectrums of abilities and also a mentor coach for new and young coaches.

Zoe Sadler – Swimming

Zoe is a regular Technical Official and announcer at all levels of swimming galas.  She travels all around the South of England, and sometimes further, to gain experience and help at swimming galas on a voluntary basis to achieve qualifications and mentor other trainee judges.  In 2019, Zoe devoted a considerable amount of time towards becoming a referee and, having passed the formal examination part of the referee programme with a high score, she will complete the training with s formal practical poolside assessment in early 2020.  After this, Zoe will be able to referee at all levels of swim meets.