Lancashire Constabulary Sports & Social Club - Sports personality 2002

There were five nominations for the 2002 Sports Personality. Dave Watkinson and Sue Harrison were short-listed. The committee found it difficult to decide on who should be the recipient. Both individuals were of a similar sporting background, character and personality and were both active members of the Athletics and Cross-Country sections.

After much deliberation, it was decided that both should jointly receive the award. This has been done once before in 1975 when two badminton players jointly received the award.

DC David Watkinson

Dave joined the force over 30 years ago and was a police cadet where he first began to develop his sporting abilities. He has always been a good all round sportsman, his main interests being toward running, cricket, squash and mountaineering.

Mid-service, Dave progressed to a variety of CID department roles that involved working out of force and for a period was seconded to New Scotland Yard. This hectic lifestyle steered Dave away from sport that he later learned was to his detriment.

In the late 1980's Dave resumed duties at Penwortham CID and realised it was time to 'get fit', 'lose weight' and regain some of his sporting prowess that he had gained many years ago. This he did and he took up running and squash with the County Athletics and Squash Sections.

Dave literally lost stones and after a year of hard work and grim determination he transformed himself back to his former super-fit self.

Fortunately, Dave didn't lose his great personality and therefore had much to offer members sports section with his excellent sense of humour. He was simply 'a real character'.

Back on form, Dave has competed at PAA level in the following national championships: -

Chief Constable Mr Paul Stephenson presents the

award to Dave and Sue on 10 March 2003

Athletics

PAA 10 Mile Road Race - 1992 to 2002

PAA Cross Country - 1992 to 2002

PAA Marathon - 1992 to 2002

PAA Track & Field - 1996 to 2002

Northern Police Cross Country League - 1992 - 2002

British Police Fell Race - 1999, 2000, 2002

Lakeland Slateman 40 mile 3 Peaks Race 1998

Squash

PAA Regional and National Championships - Veteran's 1992 - 2000

Lancashire County Squash League - 1992 to 2002

Charity Fundraising

Dave has raised literally thousands of pounds over the years running in open events for a variety of local and national charities. He has completed over 20 marathons and countless other races, many of which were overseas, Holland, France, Italy and South Africa. He has organised fund-raising dinners to boost his overall efforts, all of which has been done in his own time and at his own expense.

Conclusion

In both sports Dave has always competed at his best. Though he may not have won any 'top titles' he has always performed to a very high standard and should never be underestimated. At 49, Dave has still not peaked, improving each year on his last best performance. It can be said that he has definitely improved with age!

In any of these events he can be described by his colleagues as a real 'personality' who is always there encouraging his team mates regardless. Dave would be often one of only a few members who would be there to see every team mate over the line and often end up with a cold shower in favour of this!

People like Dave Watkinson are worth their weight in gold to any sports section as they drive along their members with enthusiasm, humour and good character that has a knock-on effect to all its members. I can say that the Athletics Section owes a lot to Dave and he will be sadly missed should he ever retire from team.

Dave decends Whernside in the 2002 British Police Fell Championships

Ms Susan Harrison

Sue has been active in athletics, cross-country road racing for many years. She is also an excellent ambassador for the Constabulary and the Sport of Volleyball.

Sue's dedication to sport is an example to many and I think this award would be just recognition of her services to sport within the Constabulary.

Volleyball Career

Began playing volleyball in 1969 whilst still at school.

Represented England U16 schoolgirls in 1971.

After leaving school continued to train with a team called `Phoenix Volleyball Club` who had a men’s team playing in the English Volleyball Association National League. Also teams from this club played in the Preston & District Volleyball League. I played in one of these teams from 1973 to 1981.

In 1977 Athena Volleyball Club was formed, which had one ladies team. I played for this team in the English Volleyball Association National League from 1977 to 1979.

Played for Wymott Prison 1982-1992 in the Lancashire Volleyball League.

Played for Preston Volleyball Club from 1987 – 2000. Preston played in the English Volleyball Association National League.

Played for BNFL Springfields Volleyball Club from 1996 to present time in the Lancashire Volleyball League.

Honours

1971 English Schools U16 Championships (Girls) Runners Up medal

1971 England Schoolgirl squad

1982/83 Wymott VC winners LVA league cup

1983/84 Wymott VC Div 1 winners LVA

1987/88 Wymott VC winners LVA league cup

1988/89 Preston (Ladies) LVA ladies cup

1989/90 Preston (Ladies) LVA ladies cup

1991 Preston (Ladies) Perth Open Invitation tournament Winners Div II

1990/91 Preston (Ladies) LVA ladies cup

1992 Preston (Ladies) Perth Open Invitation tournament Winners Div II

1991/92 Preston (Ladies) LVA ladies cup

1993/94 Preston (Ladies) Div III winners LVA

1993/94 Preston (Ladies) Div III Xmas tournament winners LVA

1995/96 Preston (Ladies) Runners up EVA National League Div III promoted to Div II

1996 BNFL Springfields (Ladies) winners Gloucester Time Out Tournament Div II

1997 BNFL Springfields (Ladies) winners Gloucester Time Out Tournament Div II

1998/99 BNFL Springfields Div III Xmas tournament runners up LVA

Lancashire Squad from 1990-1998

Lancashire Constabulary VC 1991- to present time

1991 PAA Volleyball Championships Runners Up Plate Competition.

1998 English Police Squad

1999 English Police Squad

2000 English Police Squad

2000 Great Britain Police Squad

April 2000 GB Police Winners Crown Services Tournament Isle of Man

2001 English Police Squad

2001 Great Britain Police Squad

May 2001 GB Police Winners Crown Services Tournament Portsmouth

2002 English Police Squad

Athletics and Cross Country Career

Over the years Sue has been a very active member of the Athletics and Cross Country Section and is one of their 'stalwart' runners who is always there at every event not only competing but more often than not assisting at the events when needed and encouraging her other members at races and event.

Competed in the Northern Police Cross Country League, representing Lancashire Constabulary since 1996.

Competed in the PAA 10 mile road races 1997, 2001, 2002

Competed in the Lancaster 10K road races 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002

Competed in the PAA Cross Country 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002

Competed in the PAA Track and Field Athletics 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002

In recent years Sue became a Veteran 45+ and has gained 2^nd and 3^rd positions in the finals of many of the above races.

Conclusion

Sue is a true sports personality. Her achievements have gone from strength to strength over the years. Approaching 50, she continues to compete in a variety of sporting disciplines to an excellent standard. She also is always there to help out at events and assist and encourage her fellow team players when needed.

Sue completes the 2002 National PAA 10 Mile Road Race in Edinburgh

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