We are pleased to report that 18-year-old Chloe Williams has won the Dave Holder Memorial Trophy for Young Official of the Year in Kent. Following the death of popular senior technical official Dave Holder last year, the trophy was created in his memory. Dave has always supported his club, Bexley AC, and his County, Kent. Dave won the national England Athletics Official of the Year award in 2014 for his services to officiating in Kent and nationwide at the highest level. It was felt this new trophy was a fitting tribute.
Chloe was announced as the winner during the Kent County President's dinner and it was a complete surprise to her. She was reportedly shocked to hear she had won! Dave's son Graham is County President, and also present were Dave's wife Carol and son Martin. Chloe told us, "I am honoured to be the first recipient of the Dave Holder Trophy. It was a complete surprise. It was a nice moment receiving the award alongside Graham Holder and Dave's wife. I hope the award pushes younger officials to work hard and aim to win the award."
Dave was always keen to mentor those with potential to be as technically minded as himself and the Kent selection committee thought that Chloe would have been well matched with Dave as her mentor.
The trophy was presented recently at the South of England AA indoor championships at Lee Valley stadium by Gill Freeman - Kent Officials' Secretary. Gill told us, "I think Dave would approve of this trophy in his name and he would have relished teaching her." Honorary Secretary of the AAA and fellow official Chris Cohen CBE added, "A great tribute to a fine man and a fine official. Well done Chloe. If you make half the contribution to our sport that Dave did you will get great pleasure from it."