Image: Huw Fairclough
Volunteers who have shown outstanding dedication to sport in their local communities were honoured at the 51st Torch Trophy Trust Awards alongside sporting legend Sir Bobby Charlton CBE this week.
Cardiff Ajax Cycling Club President Reg Pharoah was nominated by Welsh Cycling for his continued commitment to cycling in Wales for over 30 years. He has supported many of today’s professional cyclists, including Geraint Thomas and Luke Rowe.
HRH The Princess Royal presented this year’s awards, which take place every year at the Royal Army and Navy Club in London to celebrate the tireless work of sport’s unsung heroes.
This year the awards were an extra special occasion as the Torch Trophy Trust also presented a lifetime achievement award to their President and national sporting hero, Sir Bobby Charlton CBE, in recognition of his lifelong service to sport.
Reg Pharoah is still active in the community, marshalling at many Welsh Cycling events and always has an endearing, positive approach. He is a fantastic role model to young riders, teaching them respect for the sport and each other. As a CSAS marshal Reg took on risk by stopping traffic in the road to enable cycle races to pass. This has not stopped Reg, despite his age, and he often took on the role of team leader.
His zest for life and dedication to the sport are an inspiration to everyone. Best of all, he always does his job with wit and a smile – a gentleman of the sport. Reg has dedicated many years of his life to cycling, giving countless hours smilingly and unstintingly.
The Torch Trophy Trust is a charity that recognises and supports volunteers in sport and recreation. Their annual awards are unique in celebrating the often thankless and unnoticed work of volunteers in sport at a very prestigious ceremony.
The Sport and Recreation Alliance has provided the day-to-day support for the Trust on a voluntary basis since 1999.
Legacy has always been at the heart of the Trust’s ethos – founded after the 1948 London Olympics with the aim of inspiring and rewarding volunteers, the Trust still uses the 1948 Olympic torch as its symbol.
This year’s awards gave much-deserved recognition to the men and women working hard to ensure that the legacy of the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games is felt in grassroots sport throughout the country.
Volunteers like them are a vital part of sport in the UK. As the thousands of volunteers who will make the Glasgow Commonwealth Games a reality this summer attend their first orientation sessions, the Torch Trophy Trust paid tribute to the people who make sport in local communities possible every day.
