AN ATHLETICS team in Basingstoke are celebrating after one of their coaches has been recognised at the Southeast Region Volunteer Awards.

Dave Ragan, of Basingstoke and Mid Hants AC, was named as South East Coach of the Year at the awards which were held at The Thames Valley Athletics Centre last week.

Judges said that Dave, who specialises in middle-distance athletics, coaches athletes in the club from seven-years-old up to senior athletes.

They continued: “The athletes within the club and the other coaches hold a huge amount of respect for him. He always has time to mentor other coaches and provide his athletes with support, helping them to build their confidence, all whilst keeping them motivated and inspired. He keeps the sessions and training fun and the group have social meetings outside of training, which means they train better together as a group.”

When asked what the challenges are coaching such an age range, he replied: "It's a bit of a juggling act - started with the youth athletics – I helped with the post-2012 flood. Ben [Pattison] came in as a 10-year-old. But it's all good fun!"

Basingstoke and Mid Hants athlete Ben Pattison won bronze in the 800m race final at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest in August. 

Pattison spoke to the audience at the awards about his athletics journey and Dave’s part in that. He said: “Dave's mum Cheryl was my first coach and then I was coached by him a couple of years later. I stepped down to 400m and showed what I was capable of at the Commonwealth Games. The Europeans final showed my intentions this year. Dave met up with me every day and on the day Dave said did I want to race to win which shifted my mindset."

Cheryll said: “I’m so proud of the man that my son has become. Coaching athletics is definitely his passion.”

Dave added: “As proud as I am to have been nominated and chosen for this award it’s not down to an individual it’s the result of a massive team effort including Cheryll Ragan, Jo Breeds, Caroline Slimin and so many others as part of each athletes coaching set up. Thanks to everyone involved and to all those who keep turning up and making it an enjoyable club to be part of and to be proud of.”