28 October 2007

The British Athletics Writer Association (BAWA) Annual Awards Dinner, sponsored by Norwich Union, took place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on Saturday 27 October, with some of this year’s key performers out in force.

World Youth 100m Champion Asha Philip (Newham & Essex Beagles) won the Junior Female Athlete of the Year Award, whilst Alex Nelson (Sale Harriers) continued the sprint dominance by receiving the Junior Male title after winning gold at the European Junior Championships.

The Ron Pickering Memorial Award for Services to Athletics went to Martin Webster, BBC Executive Athletics Producer, for his dedication to finding ways to improve coverage of athletics on television.

The award for Best Performance in a British Vest went to Christine Ohuruogu (Newham & Essex Beagles) for her victory in the World Championship 400m final.

The Female Athlete of the Year Award was also won by Christine Ohuruogu, and the Male Athlete of the year award was given to Marlon Devonish (Coventry Godiva).

Finally, the winner of the £50,000 Gold Award from the Norwich Union Join our Team scheme was announced on the evening.

The twelve regional winning entries who received £12,000 each were invited by Norwich Union to the BAWA dinner. Four of the shortlisted initiatives/regional winners were nominated via the Athletics Foundation, however the overall winner was Active Archie – a coaching programme for the Arches School Sport Partnership which encourages children to learn through physical activity by developing basic movement and ball skills.

In order to apply for the Norwich Union Join our Team scheme awards for next year – athletics initiatives will need to apply via the Athletics Foundation on support@joinourteam.com