One of the highlights of the English basketball calendar, the Annual Volunteer Awards Function, was held for the sixth time on Saturday 10 September at the National Motorcycle Museum near Birmingham.

The event provides an opportunity to honour and recognise those people who volunteer their services on a local, regional and national scale throughout England.

The full list of Awards Finalists as well as the 2011 Winners are outlined below.

Harry Errington Award Volunteer Administrator of the Year – Ken Masser (Rossendale Raptors)
presented by Roger Moreland, England Basketball Director

Ken Masser became chairman of the club 12 months ago and the impact of his tireless work has been felt across the whole club. He was responsible for the club achieving Clubmark accreditation status and has negotiated with the six local high schools in order for the club to having coaching sessions in each. He has been very active in marketing the club including writing articles, designing posters and liaising with the local radio station. On top of all of this he has also been personally responsible for attracting £25,000 of funding to the club by means of community grants and sponsorship.

John Sage AwardVolunteer Coach of the Year – Franky Marulanda (Oxford Hoops)
presented by Simon Fisher, England U16 Men head coach

The sheer weight of numbers in support of Franky Marulanda's nomination were outstanding. Being responsible for 11 different teams (as a minimum) and contributing 20 hours per week of voluntary coaching is not something that is in the realms of possibility for many people. Franky admits that his coaching is a release from his high-stress profession and that his love for the game and passion for passing this love on make everything that he does for Oxford Hoops (including washing the kits) a pleasure.

KK Mitchell AwardVolunteer Official of the Year – Mary Brown (South Region, Wessex Area)
presented by Di Charles, wife of England Basketball President Emeritus Ken Charles

Mary is currently secretary of the Regional Management Committee for the South and also the Wessex Area Basketball Association. Alongside these roles, she continues to officiate in her efficient, calm and relaxed manner and is invaluable as a mentor to up-and-coming table officials at local league and junior tournaments.

Pete Jacques AwardVolunteer Court Announcer of the Year – Ian Smith (City of Sheffield)
Presented by Trevor Lowes, England Basketball Competitions Committee Convenor

As well as voluntarily court announcing all of the Sheffield Hatters home games over the last six seasons (and the Sheffield Saints in the 2010/11 season), Ian regularly travels with the team to away games and events and acts as the club's official photographer. Ian is a knowledgable and professional announcer who continues in the role despite the fact that his daughter - the reason he first got involved in volunteering at the club - left the club four years ago.

Brian Dobson AwardVolunteer Team Manager of the Year – Jan Frost (City of Sheffield)
Presented by Marjorie Dobson, wife of Brian Dobson

Jan Frost commits a great deal of time and effort into the success of the U15 boys at City of Sheffield, not just on the court but also off the court. As well as completing the task of making sure the games go ahead with the minimum of fuss in an efficient manner, she also organises fund raising and social events that help the club to prosper. She also encourages and assists all of the players in her team to becomes coaches and/or officials in order that they can contribute to the club outside of their playing time. She also arranges table officials for all of the club's home games and manages and administrates monthly U12 Central Venue Leagues.

Young Volunteer of the Year – Molly Lewis (City of Leicester Lady Hoops)
Presented by Karen Burton, England U16 Women head coach

Molly was described by her nominator as 'an absolute star' and it easy to see why given her efforts at the club and her school. As well as officiating for the club, school and at local events, she coaches every week at the club and school and is always willing to help out whether it be volunteering at events or helping with fund-raising activities all whilst studying her way to eleven A*'s and one A in her GCSEs. Her nominator was also keen to impress that whilst doing all of these activities Molly is a pleasure to be around and has a fantastic attitude at all times.

Young Volunteer Referee of the Year – David Griffin (Hertfordshire Warriors)
Presented by Bill Baxter, North Staffs & South Cheshire Area Registrar

Between his 12th and 13th birthdays David attended and passed his Level 1 and Level 2 refereeing awards. In the season since passing his Level 2 award, he has refereed at the Herts Youth Games, senior local league games (including the ladies league final), county tournaments and junior national league games all the way up to U18 boys. He is an outstanding volunteer referee and is rated highly for his punctuality, reliability and ability to communicate with players.

Volunteer Family of the Year – The Kelly family (Arrows)
Presented by Bob Mitchell, England Basketball Director

Pete, Mel, James, Jonny, Philippa and Megan are the heart and soul of Arrows Basketball Club. Wherever Arrows are involved in a game, tournament or practice at least one if not more of the clan will be not just involved, but will be coaching, officiating, managing or organising in some capacity. Without their tireless efforts, the club could not survive at the level it does.

Long Service Awards

Keith BiggsPresented by Morris Wordsworth, England Basketball Life Vice President

Keith recently completed 50 years as an official to go along with equally outstanding long service as an administrator, coach and player. He has officiated countless games in the West Yorkshire region and also served as treasurer and chairman for both the Leeds and District Basketball Association and the Bradford Basketball Association for several years. He intends to continue officiating for many more years, even if that means going through two knee replacements to do so!

http://www.englandbasketball.co.uk/news/default.aspx?newsid=3687