GTUK Success at Sports Awards
On Wednesday 15th November, 6th Degree Instructor and England Squad Coach, Mr Richard Auciello, 2nd Degree Black Belt Liam Watkinson and 1st Degree Black Belt Jessica Auciello from Stamford & Oakham GTUK, and also GTUK England Squad went to the first ever Active Rutland Sports Awards at Greetham Valley near Oakham. They had been nominated and shortlisted for awards in their individual categories. The evening was a fantastic one, a room full of talent, commitment and passion for sport, filled by young and old sportsmen, coaches, Olympic athletes, volunteers and champions in lots of different fields of sport.
The nerves were very apparent throughout the room, everyone eager to hear their own, or loved ones names being read out! Liam’s category was first up for our own nominees. Liam was up for Sportsman of the year; a long list of names short listed for the title, but the winning name that was read out was our own Liam Watkinson!! A huge cheer ran round the room whilst Liam took to the stage. Liam was interviewed by compere and a great friend of Stamford & Oakham GTUK, Rutland Radios Rob Persani, who actually opened the club at the Grand opening. When Rob asked Liam to describe how he recently apprehended a criminal on the run in London, Liam so underplayed it, humble as ever!! Well done Liam, GTUK are proud!
Second up was Jessica’s category, another list of very talented individuals in this under 14 Junior Sportswoman category! The winner was a 13 year old girl from Vale Judo who had won numerous International Golds, together with British, Welsh and Scottish titles this year and very well deserving! We’re very proud of Jessica’s achievements this year and also that she was gracious in defeat!! We now have a very determined student for next year! Again – well done Jessie, GTUK, (and two very chuffed parents) are proud!
Having had a break for food, we were treated to an interview by Olympic Athlete, Nicola White who won Bronze for Team GB in the Hockey. Just the opportunity to glimpse the prestigious medal was awe inspiring and I personally found it very motivating to strive to achieve to the best you can be! The evening moved onto the next set of awards, particularly the Coach of the Year which held our interest. Another long list of fantastic people who have done so much for sport in the Rutland area, but much to our pleasure, our very own, Mr Richard Auciello was the winner, with a huge cheer and applause from around the room, full of his many friends and acquaintances from other areas of sport!
Mr A collected his award, close to tears, and with both one of the longest readings of achievements by Rob Persani and longest speech from Mr A, (no surprise there then!)
Mr A dedicated his award to all his students, saying he isn’t a coach without them and he is so pleased to have such talent in his clubs and squad!This proved to be another fantastic evening for the local clubs and the GTUK as a whole.
Mr & Mrs Auciello, on behalf of Oakham TaeKwon Do and the GTUK, would like to thank all those involved in making the evening happen, so much thought and effort! Also to all the sponsors of the event, and judges for their careful consideration!! Lastly big thanks to Active Rutland who have made the event possible, not just rewarding talent but also raising awareness with a hope to get more people involved in sports!
So now we move onto the regional awards; Rutland and Leicestershire Sports Awards sponsored by Leicester Mercury in the New Year for Liam and Mr Auciello, potentially up against sports stars the likes of Leicester Tigers, and the county cricket professional!! Good luck, but mainly well done!
16.11.12
…by Jo Auciello
