County Club Secretary's Report 2001

Annual Report By Secretary - PC Steven Broadbent

2001 was my first full year of carrying out the task of both secretary and treasurer. I have thoroughly enjoyed my newly inherited role and feel that the combined tasks being undertaken by the same individual has many advantages.

I would like to thank all sports secretaries for there continued support and compliance with what I consider a now fairly 'streamlined' income and expenditure system. I would like to stress the necessity for supporting documentation to accompany all claims in order that I keep our auditors at bay!

Now I would like to take a brief look at the sporting activities and achievements attained by the 24 sporting sections. I have compiled a summary based on the profiles that you kindly submitted.

Considering there are around 50 police forces in the UK, the Lancashire force certainly has a fair cross section of talented players scooping medals in many of the major sports.

I enjoyed consolidating these reports and it certainly makes me proud to see so many of our members not just representing the Club year after year but also attaining consistently high levels of play and performance.

Well done to everyone concerned and lets hope that 2002, the clubs 50th anniversary year, achieves the usual gold medal standards!

Athletics

The ladies take the lime-light in the cross country and road running disciplines with PC's Alison Crook, Cara Noone, Fiona Benn, and Ms Julie Yates and Sue Harrison giving sturdy performances during the year. The ladies were 3rd team in the National PAA Cross Country. Alison was 3rd overall and winner in the PAA combined service. Julie and Sue were 2nd and 3rd in the Northern Police Cross Country League.

PC John Wiggans made his PAA debut in the track and field Nationals scoring a hat-trick of jumps, 1st in the long, 2nd in the triple and 3rd in the high.

PC Michael Horne won the Athletics Section 'Runner of the Year' trophy.

Badminton

Paul Hope and Diane Turner won through to the PAA semi-finals mixed doubles and Paul also made the quarterfinals.

Dave Sherrington and Diane Turner also made the semi-finals in the veteran's mixed doubles event.

Basketball

The section had a strong team during 2001 but did not attain any notable performances. However, the team won the PAA 'Sportsmanship Trophy' and player, John Thompson won the all star five.

The section hopes to host the 2002 PAA Championships.

Bowls

Section Secretary Paul Wood made the PAA National quarter finals and was semi-finalist in the PAA Regional flat green.

PC Pollard was the 'Merit Winner' of the Nation Police League with the force team being placed 3rd overall.

Qualifiers of the National Federation Merit finals were PC Paul Wood and Mike Riley.

Coarse Fishing

This very active section has competed in a series of fishing matches throughout the year.

In the PAA Nationals they were 3rd team.

They were 2nd team in the Notts Fire Open and 3rd team in the Lancashire Police Open. 3rd in the West Yorkshire Prison and 2nd and 3rd placed teams in the West Yorkshire Police Open.

In the Humberside Open a 1st individual was scored and the team were 2nd overall.

Cricket

I understand that the force cricket section is well supported with many talented players. A series of matches during the 2001 season failed to make any notable results.

Cycling

Despite this sport being one of the more popular among members of the force, it still struggles to find sufficient team members to score well at PAA level. However, secretary, Marc Vincent is hopeful for 2002 when he intends to increase his membership and enter a team for the PAA.

Fly Fishing

This 74 strong sports section clearly proves that the sport is popular with an increasing membership of retired personnel. The team was placed 2nd in the PAA Regional Qualifier. In the same event PS Hodson from Pennine Division qualified to fish the PAA Nationals and has gone through to qualify for the International event to be held in 2002.

PS Jim Boothby was the 'troutmaster' qualifier netting the 'biggest fish' of the season.

Football

Probably one of the most active sections of the club with both Open and Veteran team players.

The Open team finished mid-table in the West Lancashire League and in the League Cup they were knocked out in the 2nd round.

In the Lancashire FA Shield they again made the 2nd round and likewise just 2nd round in the PAA National Cup.

Despite this, the Veteran's team made up the slight shortfall by winning outright the PAA Veterans' Cup.

Ian Dawson of Central Division was elected as 2001 'Players Player of the Season'.

Golf

In the British Police Team Championships the force were runner-up in the national final and the force were also runner-up in the Hart Trophy team knockout.

In the PAA Regional DC Barnes was 2nd overall with Chief Inspector Boyce being Stableford winner.

In the PAA Nationals DC Barnes was 5th overall and went through to represent the British Police.

In the Palfrey Trophy versus GMP the Constabulary won the event.

Hockey

The ladies team played 16 games in the Longridge 7 aside Summer League winning 6, drew 3 and lost 7. They lost to Merseyside in the Round 1 of the PAA. In the PAA Plate they have faired better and have already won Round 1 and have qualified for further matches in early 2002.

Indoor Games

PS Dave Newton competed in both the PAA and 5 Nations' table tennis scoring well in both veterans' events.

Motor Club

The Motor Club has been active throughout the year participating in a number of on and off-road events.

Netball

This very active and strong team of ladies won the Burnley Netball Winter League Tournament.

In the PAA Tournament they were placed 6th out of 25 and in the Knockout made it to the quarterfinals.

Rowing

This section has been inactive for two years but globetrotting gold medalist, police indoor rower, Inspector Wayne Howard has taken the helm. Wayne has applied to re-form a new section that includes indoor Concept rowing. This sport is now becoming one of the more popular aerobic disciplines.

Rugby

I understand that the section has played well this season with qualifying matches being played against the Metropolitan Police and Cheshire in recent weeks.

Sailing

Sadly, the section was inactive during 2001.

Shooting

PC Paul Hatton remains on target for the umpteenth year with 1st places in both the Regional PAA short and long-range rifle.

PS Hodson was 2nd in the same two events and Ken Butterworth was 3rd in the long-range. The team was 1st overall.

In the Nationals, Paul was 4th overall.

In the West Yorkshire PAA Paul and Dave again scored a 1st and 2nd respectively and the team were again 1st overall.

In Clay Shooting the team maintained a consistent 3rd overall in no less than 5 major events - that is to say - the PAA Regional Skeet and Sporting, the Cheshire all round, West Midlands Sporting and the GMP Sporting.

Squash

Secretary, Inspector Peter Upton, achieved tremendous performances. He was selected for the British Police team in three representative matches and in each case won every match. He also won the PAA North West Region event.

The team ended up 'mid-table' in the North West Counties League.

Swimming

In the PAA Nationals the men won the Free-style Relay and Medley events. PC's Clayton, Sinclair, Ashcroft, Brooks and Myers netted no less than 12 gold, 5 silver and 5 bronze medals making it the most successful PAA for some time.

PC's Clayton, Sinclair, Ashcroft and Myers were selected for the British Police water-polo team in most successful European Championships for some time.

Tennis

PS Neil Gibson once again won the PAA Nationals for at least the 7th or 8th year running. Neil also qualified for the British Police Team.

Ladies, PC Watling and Ms Cawty made it through to the quarterfinals in the doubles.
 

Volleyball

In the 2001 PAA Tournament in Merseyside the women's team won the 'Ladies Plate'.

Sue Harrison represented the British Police in both the Inter-Services Tournament and England Police International.

Weightlifting & Powerlifting

Despite only being low in membership, this sports section certainly won a fair share of medals in the PAA Nationals.

PC Kevin Kavanagh won the most improved Olympic lifter of the year and was 2nd in the class. He was also 1st in the powerlifting class and the team were 3rd in the Olympic lifting.

Brett Jackson came 2nd in the masters powerlifting and 2nd in the Olympic Class. He was 3rd in the powerlifting class and 3rd in the team Olympic.

Hopefully this kind of performance may attract more lifters from the force to join this successful sports section.

Wrestling & Judo

Members attended the PAA National judo Championships. I understand that there is uncertainty about PAA Wrestling.