Royal Navy Sport Awards 2013
The Royal Navy Sports Control Board hosts an annual awards ceremony to recognise and celebrate sporting achievements throughout the year. The categories include Sportsman of the year, Young Sportsman of the year and Sports Official of the year. Each year the entries are whittled down to three nominations per category who are invited to the Awards ceremony. This year the RN awards are being held in HMS Nelson on Fri 29 Nov 13; the same day as the final U23s Inter Services match between the RN U23s and the RAF U23s.
The RNRU is pleased to announce that three individuals have been short listed in the following categories: Sportsman of the Year, CPOAET Dave Pascoe; Young Sportsman of the Year, AB Tom Davies, and Official of the Year WO2 Andrew (Taff) Wilcock. Dave and Tom's nominations are achievements in themselves as it is notoriously difficult for team sport participants to win an individual award, although former Royal Navy Rugby captain, Paul Dunn, did win the Combined Services Sportsman of the Year Award in 1977. More recently, Mne Greg Barden, England VIIs Captain, was runner-up in the Sportsman of the Year category in 2009. Tom is the RNRU's first ever nomination in the more recent Young Sportsman of the Year Category.
The Union has had more success in the Sports Official of the Year Category. In 2009, Technical Analyst, Ash Coates was runner up, whilst RNRU Life Member, Geraint Ashton Jones, was a dual recipient of the award in 2004 (Refereeing) and 2011 (Coaching).
The Royal Navy Ruby Union congratulates Dave, Tom and Andrew on their nominations and wishes them the best of luck for Friday night.
Images by Alligin Photography / © Geraint Ashton Jones
Exception is image of VAdm P A Jones and Taff Wilcock © Crown Copyright