Congratulations to ….

Ed Ecclestone was a quite guy, who got things done, he was involved in supporting canoe slalom at all levels, from grassroots to the GB team, he never sought the limelight or any recognition, he just wanted to make things work and support others.

In memory of him a trophy is awarded each year to someone who just gets on and does things for slalom canoeing.

The Sharks as a Club had been nominated for the work we do at grass roots, for encouraging diversity and basically just getting people involved. However, the rules say it has to be specifically awarded to a person, so with this in mind Neal Underwood was nominated. The decision on who gets teh award is made jointly by the previous winner and the decided that the award should go to Neal, for the work The Sharks undertakes, working with schools, community groups and hosting our own events and sessions.

The nomination is well deserved as the Club, does go further than another in reaching out to the wider community. We work in areas of high social deprivation and with communities that are normally associated with water sports.

In accepting the award at the Slalom Annual Consultative Meeting, Neal said he: ” was pleased that the work The Sharks do is not just recognised but is even seen by people outside of our area and that the fact the Club had been nominated, meant he could accept it on behalf of all of those at The Sharks who do an amazing job all year round.”

This is the second time in two years that the work of The Sharks has been recognised, last year British Canoeing recognised our work in engaging with the wider community.

Updated 26th December 2022