VOAAC Awards Evening 2026

On Saturday 3^rd October, the club gathered at Rivets Sports and Social Club for the 2026 VOAAC Awards Evening. Our guest speaker was former club member Jo Pinner (née Hunter), who went on to represent England and Great Britain in international hockey.

Jo reflected on her early days with the Vale and shared the story of her progression into the England and Great Britain hockey squads, before answering questions from the audience.

The club was also delighted to welcome members of Dan Smith’s family: his mother, Maggie; his daughter, Freya, who sadly had to leave before the awards presentation; and his sister, Kelly. As guests of the club, they presented the Dan Smith Shield for Clubman of the Year to a very deserving winner, Jafar.

It was a fantastic evening of celebration, recognising the achievements and contributions of our athletes and volunteers over the past 12 months. The bingo rounds also proved a popular addition and were enjoyed by guests of all ages.

The full list of award winners can be seen below:

JUNIOR AWARD WINNERS

• Best Kestrel Girl FREYA
• Best Kestrel Boy FINN
• Best Under 13/14 Girl CLARA
• Best Under 13/14 Boy HARVEY         
• Best Under 15/16 Girl SOPHIE
• Best Under 15/16 Boy JOSH
• Best Under 17/18 Girl AMIRAH
• Best Under 17/18 Boy JAFAR
• Best Under 20 Boy MATTHEW
• Track Girl ALESSIA
• Track Boy RONEN
• Cross Country Girl MATILDA
• Cross Country Boy ARTHUR
• Field Girl ISABELLA                                                                            
• Field Boy THEO
• Most Improved Junior Girl SHONA
• Most Improved Junior Boy JAMES C  
• Club Athlete of the Year LUCA (Junior male)
• Club Athlete of the Year GABRIELLA (Junior Female)

SENIOR AWARD WINNERS

• Cross Country Female SARAH PEARSE          
• Cross Country Male MARK BAINES                  
• Track Male MARK FALLAIZE              
• Field Male WILLIAM SMITH
• Road Race Winter (GP winner) SARAH PEARSE / ARTHUR
• Road Race Summer (GP Winner) GARY COMPTON/ DAISY
• Best Veteran Female AMANDA ESSLEMONT
• Best Veteran Male ANDREW BYERLEY
• Most Improved Senior Male GARY COMPTON         
• Special Achievement Award U13 BOYS CROSS COUNTRY RELAY TEAM
  • Arthur, Oscar, Harvey
• Dave Humphreys Awards                                
  • (Best 800 metres performances) EWAN MAXWELL / GABRIELLA
• Coach of Year HARRY CZAPSKI
• Official of Year BEX LONDON
• Vic Phillips Award (Long Sprints) ZACHARY
• Dan Smith Shield (Clubman of the year award) JAFAR
• Chairman’s Award CLARE BARKER