TEENAGER Ted Dolphin has scored a top volunteering honour in a glittering ceremony at Shrewsbury Town Football Club’s Greenhous Meadow.
The 16-year-old from Cleobury Mortimer picked up the Young Volunteer-of-the-Year accolade in front of a 200-strong crowd, including Olympic archer Alison Williamson.
Former World, European and Commonwealth swimming champion Mark Foster presented Ted, an inspirational leader, with his trophy.
Ted, a Lacon Childe School pupil, was recognised in the sixth annual awards organised by the Energize STW county sports partnership.
“I am pleased that Ted feels he can offer so much to volunteering and gives his time to do this,” said proud dad Neil. “I think volunteering is more benefical for Ted than playing multiple sports, It shows that Ted is thinking of others and not just himself.”
Ted, who is in his final year at Lacon Childe School, has completed more than 200 hours of voluntering during the past 12 months.
Ted started his leadership work two years ago and has led activities at school holiday clubs and supported more experienced coaches.
He has completed the FA Junior Football Leaders, ECB Cricket Young Leaders, Tri-Golf Activators, and BISI Badmintom Teacher awards.
The teenager has also achived the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award and coached in Shropshire.
One of Ted’s teachers, Kristien Wood, was among the audience whch contained gass-roots sporting stars and volunteers from Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. “It was a really good evening and, from my point of view, it was very humbling,” said Ted’s dad, Neil.
“My sport used to be football and I used to play locally in the Kidderminster League.
“You hear what people do and it’s very inspiring and motivational to everyone. It’s incredible what some people do.”
Ted is a keen badminton player and represents Shropshire.
His mum is one of the coaches at popular Thursday night badminton sesions based at Cleobury Mortimer Sport.
Energize chairman Steve Peters said: “At grassroots level, we rely heavily on the community clubs, coaches and volunteers that work tirelessly to not only nurture the next generation of sports stars, but make physical activity more accessible for everyone.”
Ultimate Fitness Experience, based near Church Stretton, won the Innovative Community Project trophy for the way they use the Shropshire countryside to promote fitness programmes.