THERE was important and welcome news at the presentation evening for Horrabridge Rangers U15s held at Tavistock?s Red and Black Club.
Dave Keast the Devon FA development officer announced that the club had achieved the FA Charter Standard Development Award and presented it to Bill Coleman. Also present was Bernard Leach, chairman of Devon Junior and Minor League.
Horrabridge?s victorious U15s are the first youth team in the village to win a league, and they did it with three games to spare. In 20 games played only 18 goals were scored against them.
It is the culmination of many years? hard work by the coaching staff and especially the youngsters. Most of the players have been with this team since they were five to six years old and still show great commitment.
Their awards were presented by Mr Leach and Mr Keast.
Players? player, Harri Hardy; Manager?s players, Craig Mulholland, Matthew Allen, Dominic Beech; most improved player, Ashley Gaden; most improved player, Michael Cornish; most improved player, Aaron Gaden; supporters? player, David Harris; most goals scored, Matthew Gaden.
The award winners were expertly supported during the season by Mark Smith, Luke Harrison, Richard Goldsby-West, Matthew Milburn, Adrian Cole and Jamie Tebbenham.
The Mark Gaden award was presented to Luke Harrison for his dedication and commitment to the U15s.
The event was attended by parents, grandparents, friends and acquaintances, most of whom danced the night away to music by the Barracoodas. A special guest appearance by Joanne Harris was delivered and performed with great confidence, on her first live performance.
Horrabridge Rangers are one of only six clubs in Devon and 240 in England to have received the award, introduced as part of the charter for quality and to raise standards as well as recognising good practice and rewarding quality.
l Through their connection with the Royal Marines, Horrabridge Rangers arranged an end of season activity weekend for 30 boys in the U13 and U15 teams.
The fun started on Saturday when groups of boys had the experience of how fast a safety boat can travel over rough sea. This was followed by a guided tour round a Sea King helicopter and a long session on the firing range.
The boys were then given the opportunity of trying out the Royal Marine assault course.
The final day saw the boys trying out a 50-seater landing craft and a 40mph raider boat The party set off for Horrabridge after lunch and a successful weekend.
The players and officials thanked all the marines who gave up their spare time to supervise this successful weekend, particularly WO2 Paul Scott for making it possible.