Judo club volunteers up for national award

Alex Bright and Emma Peacock of Patchway Judo Club, Bristol.

Not only do Patchway Judo Club’s players bring home the medals and trophies, their volunteers do too!

Emma Peacock, the club’s treasurer, has made it through to the top four national award for club volunteers and, not to be out done, Alex Bright, 17, has made it through to the top four national award for young volunteer.

To see whether they receive a gold, silver or bronze award, British Judo is conducting an open ballot for supporters to vote for them and the other candidates.

Emma and Alex didn’t know they were being nominated and were shocked and pleased to have not only been nominated but to have got to the finals. As you can see from their judo kits they are both active judo players as well.

These two are not the first volunteers to be awarded volunteer awards this year – club coach and secretary Alison Finn won the over-18s Filton Unsung Heros award in July and a few months ago club chairman Andrew Phelps won the Chair of South Gloucesterhire Council’s award for services to volunteering. As a bonus, Andrew later got to meet Earl and Countess of Wessex at a lunch for the volunteers.

Volunteering is clearly a big part of the club, with it being run entirely by volunteers, from coaching to ‘back room’ staff.

The club is only one of only two silver Club Mark clubs in the area and is working towards gold, the highest level, which it hopes to be awarded shortly.

Chairman Andy Phelps, said:

“It is very important to the club that we are a ‘family club’ and all the family are involved. We have a fantastic group of volunteers, with parents getting involved all the time. This ensures we can support all players to be the best they can be, which is our club motto.”

Alison Finn said:

“The whole club are really pleased that Emma and Alex have made it to the top four, we are looking forward to attending the awards evening in November, we are hoping that the two new Olympic medalist will make an appearance at the evening.”

If you would like to get involved or have a go, check out the Patchway Judo Club website.