WITH a Local Heroes accolade to their name for reviving and developing local speedway, the co-promoters of the Isle of Wight Wightlink Warriors, Barry Bishop and Martin Widman, also accepted an international award.
The club, based at Ryde’s Smallbrook Stadium, was named speedway’s Community Club of the Year by the World Speedway Riders Association (WSRA) — going one better than last year's runner-up prize — at its gala awards ceremony in Leicester on Saturday.
The WSRA were impressed by the way in which the Warriors had built on past achievements, to become recognised and established as one of the key community hubs for people of all age groups.
Bishop said: “We’re extremely proud to win the award. We’ve put the community at the heart of our club, so this is another proud moment for all associated with it, be it volunteers, fans, riders or sponsors.
“They make us what we are.
"While Martin and I may have the privilege of being there to accept the award, it only happened because of the efforts of so many who embraced and believed in our ‘Warrior Way’ ethos — striving to help us be the very best we can.
“I am massively proud another award has come the way of our club, which very, very few thought was viable, let alone an award winner.
“It was a brilliant way to round off the season.”
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