CHAIRMAN Mark Granby believes the glittering array of medals and certificates handed out at Bury Athletic Club's annual awards ceremony was a clear yardstick of its strength and progression.

Bury College principal Charlie Deane presented this year's awards at a packed presentation evening at Huntley Mount Unionist Club after being made honorary club president.

"To have so many athletes achieving national standards is a strong indicator of the health of the club," said Granby.

"It was my duty to describe the many successes achieved by Bury athletes over the previous 12 months and it filled me with pride to list off so many fabulous achievements."

The night's major awards included the coaches' male and female athletes of the year for each age category, which were awarded to athletes who showed commitment in training and competition and a positive attitude to their fellow athletes.

There were also honours for those who had excelled in the club's various track and field teams, its Grand Prix series and special honours nominated by the club committee.

Sophie Whittaker was presented with a medal for finishing third in the U18s England Fell Running Championships, while all of the young athletes who achieved AAA standards were given certificates.

Bury AC awards

Coaches' male and female athletes of the year: Byron Edwards and Jenny Yates (masters); Ben Coop and Katie Geelan (seniors); Benn Heywood and Lauren Booth (under-20s); Oliver Makinson and Lucy Alcock (u17s); Oliver Donnelly, Harriet Vaughan and Grace Goodsell (u15s); Jerel Livingston and Ella Hall (u13s) and Noah Carter and Connie Potts (u11s).

Team managers’ athlete of the league awards: Brandon Wilson and Charlotte Larkin (YDL Lower); Hashim Shah, Jenna Allen-Cartwright and Teegan Brady (YDL Upper); Oliver Horford and Georgia Nuttall (Cheshire League) and Ben Coop, Mike Hunter and Lizzie Cheshire (Northern League).

Seniors’ Grand Prix awards: Ben Coop and Jenny Yates (seniors) and Jim Ardin and Alison Dale (masters).

Committee awards: Chloe Fairhurst (best club member); Mariella Digioia (most improved athlete); Giles Bennett (JT Ratcliffe Award), Roger Morley and Harriet Vaughan (Sandra Newton Memorial Award).

AAA standards: U13s – Ella Hall, Lucy Chandler, Erin Kenyon, Catherine Russell, Jerel Livingston, Elliott Savage and Evan Savage; U15s – Grace Goodsell, Charlotte Larkin, Charlotte Speakman-Farnworth, Daisy Worthington, Holly Murray, Heledd Rimmer, Harriet Vaughan, Hannah Holland, Patrick Clarke and Francis Woodcock; U17s – Oliver Makinson, Hashim Shah and Jenna Allen-Cartwright.