David Woodward receives a lifetime achievement award, at the South Yorkshire Sports Awards.
25th April 2005

At 3.30pm yesterday Sunday 24 April 2005, many coaches and volunteers attended the Sheffield Institute of Sport in Sheffield. It was the first ever Sports Awards for coaches and volunteers in South Yorkshire.

A number of people were nominated for the various awards, these included, Club of the Year, Coach of the Year, Volunteer of the Year. The most prestigious of the awards was the nomination of Lifetime Achievement Award, an award David Woodward had been nominated for.

Representing Rotherham Hockey Club and cheering on David was our President Mr. Eric Duke, Secretary Bernard Fletcher, myself and Rotherham's own hopefully ace photographer Ken Bray. (Photo's to follow)

The person receiving the Lifetime achievement award was to receive a certificate, this was to have been signed by Richard Caborn MP, Minister for Sport

However when Richard Caborn, saw that David Woodward was to receive the award together with two other Club coaches from other sports, he stated he had to give the certificate personally and drove from London to present the award. When he addressed the audience, he not only praised the successful nominees, but singled out our David Woodward for special praise for the effort and time he has given to the sport, which David clearly loves.

At Rotherham we all know the value of David Woodward, but afterwards, as ever David was keen to stress that 'There is no I in team'. David may be correct about that but there is a 'heart of gold' in David Woodward.

Well done David, the Club is very proud of your achievements.
Ian Marshall
Club Captain.