West Norfolk coaches and athletes honoured at awards night

Athletics Norfolk honoured the achievements of athletes across the county.The chair of Athletics Norfolk remarked that this may well have been the most successful year on record for Norfolk athletes, and some West Norfolk AC athletes were included.Not only celebrating the athletes themselves, awards are given for coaching and dedication to the sport.After a lifetime of service to athletics, club president Wally Oliver was awarded with a services to volunteering award – justifiably so given his dedication over decades in many forms, with most knowing him as a race starter.Club vice-president Chris Ely was also honoured.As a dedicated high-level coach, he gives his time to the athletes and club, so was presented with a coaching award.Anya Faithorn was given the Development award for her sporting prowess across different disciplines, such as sportshall and javelin, for which she was selected to represent Norfolk for this year, all while overcoming major health issues and multiple hospital stays for surgery. Bec Johnson was given the U15 track award after a stellar season in which she performed at a national level – only recently coming fifth in the all-England indoor 60m hurdles in her first year in the U17 age group after taking home silver in the U15 last year. Ranked third nationally in 2024, Johnson continues to go from strength to strength, recently also breaking the club record in the 60m sprint.Luke Anderson was the recipient of the U15 sportshall award after an amazing sportshall season, seeing him win multiple events across the leagues as well as being selected to run for Norfolk in the inter counties where he also had multiple wins.Anderson goes on to the national finals in a couple of weeks. City of Norwich athlete, who is second claim for WNAC, Charlie Broad, was deservedly awarded the U17 field award for his performance in the shot.Broad recently threw a huge 16.65m at an invitational event and is ranked second nationally. A talented all-around athlete, Broad keeps improving, and we look forward to seeing how far he will go.Keeping it in the family, dad Noel was also awarded a coaches award on the evening for his successful shot put coaching. On a quiet week for endurance, while marathons loom on the horizon, two of the club’s speedy juniors took to the Milton Keynes track for the SEAA 5km championships.On what was a tough course, which started on track then led to some hilly terrain, and with a competitive field of athletes, both Evie Clayton (U17) and Olivia Ord (U15) had a very successful outing, setting them up nicely for the 5k road races ahead and track season.Clayton finished eighth, grabbing herself a PB on that course of 20.41.U15 Ord finished in 11th in 21.54 in her first race here, just shy of her fastest 5k time in a year but on a hilly course – a fantastic achievement.