A STALWART trustee whose 30 years of dedication helped nurture thousands of sportspeople has been recognised for his efforts.

Graham Sweet has slogged away behind the scenes at Marlow Sports Club for three decades, helping it go from a small club to the multi-discipline success story of today.

And Graham stepped up to receive the ‘Unsung Hero’ gong at last week’s Wycombe District Sports Awards in recognition of his efforts to bringing sport to the whole community.

He said: "It was a great surprise and honour to get this award for doing something that I really enjoy. I am very proud to be part of a fantastic sports environment in Marlow.

"There have been so many people in Marlow Sports Club, in the Hockey Section and in the local community who together have been instrumental in making this massive change; I want to thank them all.

“But it is not over - the Trustees of the Sports Club have great plans for the next phase of the development and to provide the community with event better sports and leisure facilities.”

Graham was handed his award by Olympic champion rower Katherine Grainger at the ceremony at Court Garden, Marlow, last Thursday.

As well as acting as commercial director for Marlow Sports Club, Graham was chairman of Marlow Hockey Club for 18 years and was a major player in securing the all-weather pitch at its Pound Lane home in 2012.

The community hub has over 2000 members and houses tennis, hockey, cricket, running, cycling and other groups.

A £1.2million loan was taken to secure 20 acres of land after the club was faced with eviction from the site in 2006, and members have cleared over half thanks to help from the community.

It was a successful night for Marlow sporting institutions, with Marlow Rowing Club's Bret King being named Performance Coach of the Year.

And David Plaskitt scooped Volunteer of the Year as the club prepares for the official launch of its new £2.5million riverside HQ.

For more on the awards and a full breakdown of the winners, see this week's Free Press.