City Council aims for Sporting Gold
Winchester’s sporting reputation is flourishing, thanks to a string of grants, awards and exciting projects. Now the project team behind the outdoor sports centre is hoping for another top award.
Following a public internet vote organized by insurance company Norwich Union, the outdoor sports centre scooped a regional prize worth £12,500 towards new equipment. The project, which is being jointly led by the University of Winchester and Winchester City Council, now goes forward for the national gold award worth an additional £50,000. It has already made its mark nationally, however, by receiving the highest number of public votes out of all the initiatives nominated in the UK – for which a further £750 prize has been made.
The national award will be decided by a panel of independent judges including Olympic Gold Medallist Sally Gunnell, Sprinter Darren Campbell, BBC Breakfast Sports Presenter Chris Hollins, and Norwich Union Chief Executive Mark Hodges. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on 27 October.
Last month, the City Council scooped the England Athletics regional award for the most supportive local authority. The award was presented by representatives from UK Athletics, the governing body for athletics. The Winchester and District Athletics Club, which nominated the City Council, also picked up several awards at the ceremony on what was a hugely successful occasion for the city.
Cllr Patricia Stallard, the City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Sport said: “These awards have come as the result of Winchester City Council’s commitment towards developing sporting facilities and services for all. The sports development team has dedicated an enormous amount of time and effort towards these projects and truly deserves the recognition it has garnered.”