The great and memorable performances of NTC’s athletes were remembered and honoured at the club’s annual awards ceremony on Saturday 8 February.
Nearly 100 club members, their families and friends gathered at the Newcastle and Hartshill Cricket Club to hear who had won last year’s crop of prizes.
Most awards are given for age group performance, but some are voted on by members in an annual poll, while there are also a series of fun awards.
Our hosts for the night were Tom Walker and Matt Jackson, while thanks go also to the organising committee of Michelle Marshall, Charl Clayton and Michael Howard.
Here are all the winners:
Most dedicated as voted by members - Gary Payne
Gary regularly attends track, chain gang and swimming sessions both in the pool and at open water. He’s also given lots of support to the open water kayak rota. He's also a great advocate for the club, encourages others and shares his experiences.
Volunteer of the year, as voted by members - Matt Harper
Matt has shown immense dedication to coach and organise training sessions, even while struggling with injury himself. He has been the backbone of both the running all year and the open water sessions over the summer. He’s also led plenty of bike rides and supported club members with their goals, nurturing, looking after and getting them over the line.
Junior coach’s award, under 12 – Iris Broadhurst-Roach
Junior coach's award, over 12 – Patience Lamb
Most improved of the year, as voted by members - Hayley Green
Hayley has made huge progress with her swimming, both in the pool and in the open water as when she first started she struggled to swim for more than 25m in one go. She has taken on her first triathlon at Nantwich in May and went back again in September for more. She has ventured out on some tough rides with the fast group and has shown a real increase in speed at the track.
Cross country girls (club placings)
3rd place – Iris Broadhurst-Roach
2nd place – Isla Spencer
1st place – Annabelle Winstanley
Cross country women (club placings)
2nd place – Clare Spencer
1st place – Fiona Ridley
Cross country men (club placings)
3rd place – Mark Hatton
2nd place – Michael Howard
1st place – Eammon Clowes
North Staffordshire Cross County League age group prizes
17 to 19 age men - Eammon Clowes
40 to 44 age women – Clare Spencer
Best performance (women) of the year, as voted by members - Emma Broadhurst
For her performances at Challenge Wales and Ironman Tenby. She smashed each discipline at Challenge Wales, finishing in 5:50 and taking second age group place. At Ironman Tenby she finished a brutal course in terrible weather conditions when many couldn’t.
Best performance (men) of the year, as voted by members - Nathan Walker
Nathan Walker continues to develop his speed and skill as he’s moved from junior to adult events. He took back to back overall wins at the sprint triathlons in Ellesmere and Llandudno. Nathan also had age group wins at Wilmslow Sprint Tri and the Cross Sprint Tri at X-Terra Weston Park. He raced in his first GBR age group race in Torremolinos in the World sprint triathlon championships.
Rising star junior award – Annabelle Winstanley
Annabelle’s awards was presented by two juniors who have grown up with the club and are now adults – Patience Lamb and Lucy Donnelly
Helen Mason memorial award
Presented to Julia Matheson for her spirit and determination in her recovery from a serious injury, while maintaining her commitment to coaching.
Long course award - Men
For age group position in either 70.3 or “full” long course formats.
3rd – Dave Pearsall
2nd - Mat Stephenson
1st – Didier Nuttall
Long course award - women
For age group position in either 70.3 or “full” long course formats.
3rd - Charl Clayton
2nd – Jo Donnelly
1st – Emma Broadhurst
Club junior championships – girls
3rd - Shauna Hamilton
2nd – Mia Hearson
1st - Annabelle Winstanley
Club junior championships – boys
3rd – Jacob Oakes
2nd Charlie Alcock
1st – Murphy Hamilton
Club championships – women
3rd – Jude Taylor
2nd - Michelle Marshall
1st – Sandra Edwards
Club championships – men
3rd – Will Slater
2nd – Mark Hatton
1st – Nathan Walker
Fun awards
“Stabiliser award” – Sandi Edwards
‘Somersault Sandi’ hit a pot hole in World Champs in Torremolinos and somersaulted over the handle bars when her chain came off and jammed but was straight back up on her bike and still managed to come 9th!
“Longest time in transition award” – Matt Harper
Matt’s hands were so cold after coming out of the water at Challenge Wales he struggled to get his wetsuit off and then found it nearly impossible to do up his boa’s on his cycling shoes keeping him in T1 for longer than planned!
“If it’s not on Strava, it didn’t happen” award – Richard Hall
Richard clocked 86 miles of swimming, 5,355 miles of cycling and 1,015 miles of running in 2024 to pick up the coveted Strava mug.
London marathon club place 2025
Ricki Larkin