DESPITE a difficult season, Wimborne Athletic Club members, family and friends packed the Wimborne Football Club lounge for the annual Presentation Evening.

Club chairman Jason Hall outlined some of the difficulties experienced in the year but was full of praise for coaches old and new and the time given by officials and helpers.

Hall emphasised that there was a need for more volunteers to come forward to help with coaching, officiating and team management.

The season’s results and performances had been good considering some difficult operating conditions. International performances, second place in the South West League East division and second place in the under-11 Quadkids competition of the Wessex Young Athletes League were among the highlights.

Nine club members qualified for the prestigious English Schools championships held in Manchester in July.

Top award as coach of the cear went to Lorraine Winton who took five athletes to the English Schools for long and triple jump. Richard Cassidy received the Les Phillips award for his all-round contribution to club life and Anita Hayward won the Robin Blackburn trophy for her support in a wide range of roles.

Among athletes, Lauren Hill won the Jonathan Edwards triple jump trophy and Harry Woods the Carol Hollins long jump trophy. Jack Williams retained the high jump trophy and Rannon Dewi won the pole vault award. Harry Bunting and Freya Blundell won the male and female sprints titles and Jay Dunn and Isla O’Connor the awards for middle distance running. Lola Sainsbury and Harry Jones won the throws awards with Ella Jeffery securing the Hurdles title.

Outstanding performance awards went to Emily Shaw and Piers Copeland competing in national and international competitions. There were also awards for some just starting out in athletics. Florence Van Der Feltz and Elliott Trickey won the awards for the best Quadkids athletes though they were hotly challenged by Ava -Elliott Smith and Lucas Joliffe.

The Quadkids won the Hill Ford Trophy for the best team performance. Charlie Cleal and Lucy Lucas were adjudged the Newcomers of the Year and Rory Connolly received the Clare Bailey trophy for effort and commitment.