Reigate and Banstead put on a bit of a show last Wednesday evening, 1st March.
Over 200 people, many of them youngsters, were seated in the Harlequin main auditorium at round tables bathed in purplish light, waiting with anticipation to find out who the winners were. No, the occasion was not was not a re-run of the BAFTAs, it was the Reigate and Banstead Sports Awards evening.
The assembled throng were the shortlisted candidates, supported by those who had nominated them, and guests. Lucy and JohnB amongst several others in the town had independently nominated Jamie for Sports Person of the Year, based on both his personal achievements and his outstanding performance for England in the MacRobertson Shield last November.
There were 11 wide-ranging categories of Award to be presented, such as Young Volunteer of the Year, Inclusive Sport Award, Senior Citizen Sport Award and Club of the Year – most had 3 shortlisted contenders. An enthusiastic compere called Nathan led the proceedings, encouraging a great deal of cheering, clapping and whooping as he described the achievements of each winner before announcing the name.
When it came to Sports Person of the Year, Jamie was shortlisted with a hockey player and a boxer. As Nathan went through the achievements of the winner he mentioned England beating Australia, New Zealand and USA, and at that point those in the croquet-know knew that Jamie would be walking up receive the award. Well done Jamie Burch!
With the best possible result, pre-event drinks beforehand, and a finger buffet afterwards it was a great night out for Jamie, the Burch family both young and old, as well as those from the club – Freda, Lucy, Simon and JohnB. Not the BAFTAs, but as good as.