In a memorable night for community sport volunteers, Jill Stidever was recognised as the 2014 Get Inspired Unsung Hero at the event in Glasgow.
Jill has spent nearly 60 years helping thousands of children with special needs to learn how to swim – and her work has helped encourage people to see disability swimmers as athletes. Her commitment to the sport and her pupils is exceptional – spending 40 hours a week coaching, raising funds and organising events. Some of the children she has coached have gone on to swim at the Paralympics.
Stidever – who was one of Sport England’s torchbearers for the London 2012 Olympics – said of her award: “It’s special that parents have trusted their children to me over the years. I’m not the most conventional of swimming teachers, but they inspire me so much with the things they can do – their ability – that I have to work and find out new ways to help them.
“To my team, my husband, my family and all the rest who have supported me, thank you very much.”
Now in its 12th year, the BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero Award recognises and rewards outstanding contributions from those within local grassroots sport. Following a nomination period, which included regional winners from all 15 of the BBC’s nations and regions, Jill was handed the prestigious national prize.
Simon Gifford-Mead was chosen as the South West Unsung Hero award. The 68 year old has been with Dart Totnes Amateur Rowing Club in Devon for 25 years. Initially helping his two daughters get into the sport, he has become an integral part of the club coaching many juniors, including Commonwealth Rowing Championship Gold medallist in 2010, Elliott Barton, and current national hopeful, Matt Swiss.
Simon also played a crucial role in helping the club secure a £242,748 grant from Sport England’s Community Club Development Programme back in 2005, which saw the club build a new clubhouse, boathouse shed and training facilities.
After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Simon was no longer able to compete in his chosen sport, but his passion and commitment to the club still remains, devoting hours of his time every week. "There are two options: one is to sit in the corner and just disappear, the other is to carry on," said Simon. News of his award surprised him, but he admitted: “I’m thrilled for the sport, thrilled for all of the people who help the juniors here, and throughout the rest of British rowing. It’s a great sport and we want to encourage more people to enjoy it and take part as well.”
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2014 also took time to say the biggest ever thank you to sports volunteers. Patron of Join In and comedian Eddie Izzard began the celebrations, offering special acknowledgment to the people who give up their time to make sport happen. Izzard surprised remarkable volunteers countrywide with thank you phone calls before awarding Stidever with the national Unsung Hero award.
We’d like to congratulate all the winners and nominees for the Unsung Hero award and to all those who give up their valuable time to make lives better through sport.
BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero 2014 regional winners:
- East – Derek Beaumont
- East Midlands – Jill Stidever
- London – Dave Dunsford
- North East – Graeme Mark
- North West – Yvonne Mills
- South – Bernard Wilkins
- South East – Frank New
- West – Bev and Chris Maull
- West Midlands – Denis Neenan
- Yorkshire – Bert Beaumont
- Yorkshire & Lincolnshire – Roger Tanner
Click here to get more information and to watch a short film about the Unsung Hero nominees.