SOUTHWICK athlete Zoe Mattacks enjoyed a real treat at the annual Team Bath AC Track & Field Awards evening last week.

Mattacks not only won the award as the best points score for the club in the under 20 women’s age group but also received her prize from 2004 Olympic gold medallist Jason Gardener MBE.

“It was great chance to celebrate the success of the club this season,” said Mattacks, who is a student at the John of Gaunt School in Trowbridge.

“To have Jason Gardener there made it all the more special, and gave a clear flag on a hilltop as to what can be achieved.”

Mattacks was one of several Wiltshire athletes who received recognition at the ceremony held at Bath University’s Sports Training Village complex at which Gardener was the guest of honour.

Melksham Oak School student Jordan Earley followed Mattacks up to meet Gardener after being awarded the prize for the best under 20 men’s athlete over the summer.

“I would like to thank my mum and my coach Colin (Baross) for getting my through a tough, injury ridden season and helping me set up for the next,” said Earley.

Another Wiltshire winner was middle distance runner Eleanor Webster, who lives near Malmesbury and received the under 15 girls’ award.

“I am really pleased to have won this trophy and it was brilliant to be presented with it by Olympic gold medalist Jason Gardener,” said Webster.

“Listening to Jason talk about his experiences at the Olympics was fascinating and really inspiring.

“It was also great that the under 15 girls team won their age group. Most of us were in the lower year this season, so I hope we will go on to repeat this success next year.”

Other Wiltshire wines included the St Laurence School pair of Jenna Blundell (under 17 women) and Jake Nickerson (under 17 men) plus Femi Akinbobola of Sheldon School (under 15 boys).

The club’s track and field manager John Webster also paid tribute to the club’s athletes after another busy season.

“The season was one in which the team achieved a great deal of success in spite of near misses in both the Avon League and the YDL” said Webster.

“The lower age group team narrowly missed promotion tp the Premier League, losing out to local rivals Bristol & West AC on individual points difference, having finished level on points with them.

“Similarly in the Avon League the team – including all age groups – missed out on top spot by a very close margin, having drawn n points with the eventual winners and well ahead of the rest of the field.

“Overall it was a very encouraging season and the team spirit and commitment of all athletes who represented the team impressed me enormously.

“I am very much looking forward to harnessing this spirit and building on this success next season. The club has great talent throughout the age group and the future looks very rosy.”

Team Bath AC winners: Girls - U13s: Ebony Hammond; U15s: Eleanor Webster; U17s: Jenna Blundell; U20s: Zoe Mattacks; SW: Char Burkey. Boys - U13s: Will Andrews; U15s: Femi Akinbobola; U17s: Jake Nickerson; U20s: Jordan Earley; SM: Iman Qazi.

Avon League Cups: U13 girls, U17 men.

UK Athletics Grade One standards: Boys - U13s LJ: Kiran Carter (4.71m); U15s 100: Will Browne (11.7secs); 800/1500: Rory Howorth (2:00.92/4:10.3); LJ: Ransford Ako-Nai (5.91m); U17s 100: Cameron Sprague (11.0secs) & Ulas Akkus (11.19secs); 200: Sprague (21.89secs); 1500S/C: John & Robert Howorth (4:29.02/4:31.3); 100H: Sam Roberts (13.48secs); LJ: Jake Burkey (6.35m); U20s HJ: Tom Gale (2.18m).