Orwell Panthers Athletics Club
973. Ann Negus
Ann Negus, from Ipswich, has spent fifty years coaching disabled young people to take part in athletics.
Ann has spent fifty years coaching disabled young people to take part in athletics. 80 year old Ann supports and trains young disabled athletes with ‘Orwell Panthers AC’ and is the driving force of the volunteer team behind the scenes at the athletic club too. 40 disabled athletes with learning and physical disabilities are currently benefiting from Ann’s support and coaching. Ann is also part of the team that organises the biannual ‘Panther Challenge’ which gives all participants a chance to experience being part of an athletics competition.
In a personal letter to Ann, the Prime Minister said:
“You have shown tremendous dedication to coaching and nurturing the talent of young disabled people in athletics for over 50 years. Your work with the ‘Orwell Panthers AC’ continues to transform the lives of countless young people and is increasing the number of disabled people participating in sports.”
Ann said:
“I started volunteering when my children did athletics which is how we should get other parents involved – by talking to parents, not expecting them to go on committees but as helpers, maybe then encouraging them to go further and become coaches or officials.”