WEST CHESHIRE Athletics Club is celebrating a double success story.

The Ellesmere Port Sports Village-based outfit has been named England Athletics North West Club of the Year, and vice-chairman, Dennis Wall, has won the England Athletics North West Services to Athletics Award.

West Cheshire AC is renowned for the voluntary help and support it provides for the local community. The club caters for anyone aged eight and a half years old upwards who enjoy training sessions and competitions co-ordinated and supervised by 40 qualified coaches and 43 qualified officials as well as many volunteers throughout the year.

West Cheshire AC teaches members who want to compete in track and field, cross country, road running, hill running, and indoor Sportshall athletics fixtures.

The club prides itself on the friendly and accommodating atmosphere its volunteers create at training sessions and competitions, as well as the variety of events it offers to the local community throughout the year.

West Cheshire AC also partners with local primary and secondary schools to help deliver training sessions as well as running hugely popular indoor and outdoor competitions throughout the year which play an active part in their lives – promoting sport and providing an important link into club athletics.

The club has also developed a strong link with the local college and university and offers students an opportunity to train, compete, and learn how to become a coach or club official.

Meanwhile, Dennis Wall has been the driving force behind grassroots athletics, developing West Cheshire AC from a little grass track club to a well-known prestigious club, with the facilities to match.

His passion and enthusiasm for the sport flows through the athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers who all love and respect him: their numbers have increased as a direct result of his passionate approach.

He is a true ambassador for the sport of athletics with his selfless dedication and commitment over the past 35 years.

A very enthusiastic athlete who could turn his hand to almost any event, he gained coaching and officiating qualifications and still coaches three sessions a week when possible.

Dennis’s calm and considerate approach to any situation is backed up with his wisdom and his contacts throughout the athletic world: it is testament to his role within the local community that local schools, clubs and the local authority all contact him for help and advice.

He also arranges coaching and officiating courses for local clubs, secondary schools, further education colleges and the University of Chester.