Herne Hill Harriers’ junior international athlete Katie Snowden placed 3rd in the Active Wandsworth Sports Person of the Year Award 2011, the most prestigious of those on offer at the Civic Suite on Thursday 8th March. This latest accolade, received the day before her 18th birthday, was another reward for Katie’s fine year, which saw her win gold in the Commonwealth Youth Games 800m and place 7th in the World Youth Championship at the same distance.
The club was well represented during the evening’s proceedings, with athletes and coaches short listed in 5 categories. Long serving club stalwarts Stan and Joan Allen were awarded a runners up honour for Outstanding Contribution to Sport over the course of many years, with Stan having been a HHH member for 60 years and still coaching twice a week as well as providing post long run breakfasts for his athletes at Tooting Bec track on Sundays. Among other roles for the club over the years, he and Joan have also looked after the club membership intake.
Another short listed nominee for Coach of the Year was James McDonald, whose hugely successful young athletes middle distance group go from strength to strength, most notably this winter for the club’s under 13 boys and girls teams, while James also guided Katie to her superb major championship performances. Under 13 star Breagha Campbell was one of only 5 short listed for the Junior Sports Person of the Year Award, recognising her fabulous all round achievement in track & field, where she was second ranked in the UK in the Pentathlon and also her prowess at cross country, as well as also being a very good level swimmer and biathlete.
The club was also in contention for the Sports Club of the Year in recognition of the all round success of our club teams, both male and female, from the youngest through to the oldest age groups and also the excellent work carried out by club officers, coaches and other volunteers who provide such a fun and vibrant sporting outlet for such a wide range of members of all ages and standards.
Geoff Jerwood.