At every major sporting championships, there are normally a loyal group of unpaid, and more than often unrewarded, volunteers who will diligently ensure the smooth running of the event. Behind every successful community club, where the next generation of young sportswomen are nurtured, there is usually one person who has given up their time for free, despite the pressures of juggling a family and a professional life. And, considering that these selfless individuals are hardly ever recognised, the Sport England Community Club Volunteer Award was established in their honour – with few people embodying such a self-sacrificing attitude better than our inaugural winner, Kay Stokes.

Stokes is a part-time worker and mother of three boys yet she still finds the time during the course of a hectic week to coach aspiring triathletes at Cleveland Triathlon Club, which is based near Middlesbrough, as well compete to a reasonable level herself as an athlete. By focusing primarily on the juniors team at the Cleveland Junior Academy (for kids aged between 8-16yrs old) for seven hours a week – she organises, single-handedly, social outings and entries into local and national competitions – Stokes has ensured, over the past 10 years, that the future foundations of the sport in the North East region are thriving and prosperous. That it is the biggest triathlon club in the area, with more than 150 members, is partly due to her unselfish devotion.

“I am so shocked,” she said upon being announced the winner. “It's quite difficult to fit everything in but I have a supportive family. My children often come with me or participate as well. We all work together. My husband is a behind-the-scenes man. He is the one that says ‘slow down!’.”

Clearly she is not listening that much. Not only has she actively gone out and secured her appropriate coaching badges after hours and hours of training – she is a Level 1 swim coach, Level 2 British Triathlon coach, an NVQ Level 2 Activities coordinator and triathlon event organiser – she is also a prominent figure within British Triathlon. Over a six-month period last year, she displayed her dedication to the local community as more than 20 female adults, under her guidance, took part in their first ever triathlon events.

“I got involved in the sport a while ago. I was a swimmer but bumped into a triathlete who asked me to come down. When I joined the club, I thought ‘Oh my goodness this is scary.’ After two years I did my first triathlon and I suppose I bit the bug from there. Once I volunteered to help with the kids section, it simply went on from there.”

What encouraged our panel of judges the most was the sheer number of entrants into this category from across the country and, more specifically, the number of young women who have shown a particular interest in volunteering, without any financial incentive or reward. Not that all of them are recognised, though, as nominator Georgie Rutherford, the North East Regional Development Manager for Triathlon England, says in her original nomination form. “In all her time coaching Kay has never been recognised as a winner at any local, regional or national sporting awards,” Rutherford wrote. “I believe it is high time that Kay is thanked and recognised for her years of work.

“She never expects a thank you or present – in fact, when she was given a bottle of wine by one athlete she was brought to tears out of appreciation and shock. Kay really does not realise how much of a positive impact her attitude and voluntary service means.”

The award was presented by Gerry Sutcliffe, Minister of sport. Lauren Cotton and Janet Kidd were also nominated.