Marlow and Wycombe success stories were among the honours this week at a county-wide awards ceremony, dubbed the ‘Oscars’ of the Bucks sporting world.

Almost 3,000 people gathered for the ninth annual Bucks and MK Sports Awards last Friday at Aylesbury’s Waterside Theatre.

Hosted by Marlow’s very own Paralympic gold medal-winning rower Naomi Riches MBE and former England hockey player Roger Dakin, the event paid homage to unsung individuals and organisations from throughout the county.

Coming just a week after Marlow clubs were well represented at Wycombe District’s biannual awards, David Plaskitt from Marlow Rowing Club picked up the best volunteer gong on the night.

Described as a true multi-tasker and someone the club could not operate without, David supports the club’s 400 members as membership secretary and runs the weekly improvers group.

He was praised as fundamental to the success of the rebuild of the famous institution since its riverside HQ was destroyed by fire in 2011.

Handing over the award, the hosts said: "David’s dedication and enthusiasm has ensured that many people continue to enjoy and improve in their rowing.

"Without David’s encouragement, many would drop out from the sport. Highly organised with excellent attention to detail, he helps keep the club focused and moving forwards and was instrumental in managing the rebuild which will enable the club to grow and flourish."

Marlow Sports Club, which took the ‘club of the year’ prize at Wycombe’s ceremony last month, missed out on the same category gong at county level as Wycombe District Swimming Club took the honours.

The popular club was hailed as the "go to place for swimmers of every level".

It was one of just three awards which were taken home to the south of the county, with the majority won by individuals and groups in the north of the county.

Roger Fennemore, chairman of Leap, the County Sport and Activity Partnership which co-ordinated the awards, said: "This is the Bucks sporting version of the Oscars, with the message being to recognise the people behind the people in sport - all the volunteers who make sport happen.

"Friday was a fantastic celebration of their tireless work, and we were delighted to have organised such a successful and rewarding event."

 

The full list of winners is as follows:

 

  •    Active Workplace of the Year 2014 (sponsored by Places for People) – Buckinghamshire County Council
  •    Club of the Year 2014 (sponsored by Bucks New University) – Wycombe District Swimming Club
  •    Community Coach of the Year 2014 (Sponsored by Amersham & Wycombe College) – Adam Colley from Aylesbury.
  •    Performance Coach of the Year 2014 (sponsored by BP Collins and Harwood Hutton) – Zak Jones from Buckingham.
  •    Project of the Year 2014 (sponsored by Buckinghamshire County Council) - Milton Keynes Leadership Academy (MKLA).
  •    School of the Year 2014 (sponsored by Buckinghamshire Learning Trust) - Bushfield School, Wolverton, Milton Keynes.
  •    Terry Cook Unsung Hero of the Year 2014 (sponsored by 1Life) - Gilly Bettis of Aylesbury.
  •    Volunteer of the Year 2014 (sponsored by Aylesbury College) – David Plaskitt from Marlow.
  •    Young Leader of the Year 2014 (sponsored by MK College) - Shona Alfert, Chiltern.