Alan Woolford was overwhelmed last month to receive notification that he had been nominated for and won the prestigious Sport and Recreation Alliance Emeritus Award 2020.
It came somewhat out of the blue and within only a couple of days he had invited a select group of family and friends to join him at the Queen Mary Reservoir where he was presented with a stunning inscribed crystal bowl. The award was made for his extraordinary career of service to sailing and boat-ing.
The Emeritus Award has been in existence for over ten years and is awarded for life-long or sus-tained service to sport and recreation, particularly in a volunteer capacity, or for long service to the Sport and Recreation Alliance. Alan Woolford has spent over 40 years working in the sports sector as a boating instructor, coach, volunteer and chief executive. His contribution to boating started in the 1980’s when he created opportunities for people both with and without disabilities. He served as the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Regional Rac-ing Coach in the Thames Valley and later served as regional chair. In 1994, he became the driving force behind the establishment of Sailability at the Queen Mary Sailing Club (QMSC) and led the fundraising to provide boats and equipment. The club has gone on to provide hundreds of Sailability sessions each year and Alexandra Rickham, who won a Bronze Medal in the 2012 Paralympic Games, was introduced to sailing at the club.
Despite now being 88, Alan continues to support boating and was instrumental in the 2015 accredi-tation of Thames Sailability, which operates the river cruiser, Impossible Dream, from Cowey Sale. The boat gives groups such as the Spelthorne MS Society, and students from local schools for those with se-vere learning difficulties, the opportunity to enjoy cruising on the Thames.
Overall, the work he has done as a volunteer since the 1960s has helped to enable both future Olympic and Paralympic medal-winners, and children and adults with disabilities who just enjoy boating, to thrive on the water.
Alan Woolford was presented with his award at a special event, filmed for the award ceremony in London. The actual ceremony was in London and presided over by the President of the Sports and Recreation Alliance, His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex. But due to the current situation, the glitz and glamour was replaced with a virtual event. Hence the Queen Mary presentation was all the more important for Alan and his family. Alan sported the Thames Sailability outfit. Many congratulations Alan and well deserved!
