Ray Lewis

Ray has been volunteering with Burnham Juniors Football Club for 19 years. He's coached and managed teams, combining this with the Vice-Chairman role in recent years. The club currently has 26 teams covering ages 6 to 18, as well as providing training experience for 4 and 5 year olds.

During Ray's association with the club, in excess of a thousand young people have had the benefit of playing organised sport - giving them a focus in an area where there is little other activity. It has helped teach them to be part of a team and given them much needed exercise. Clearly Ray's involvement and genuine passion for the club has helped to support many of the younger community to become part of a team and to my mind has possibly prevented them from getting involved in more 'dubious' pursuits.

Ray would be surprised to think his work had been highlighted in this way. He doesn't see it as anything special which is why it is so endearing. He is really motivated and gets inspiration from seeing the development of the young players and feels privileged to work with them and watch their progress. The enthusiasm that Ray displays to the club and his involvement to keep it going gives young members of the community the chance to follow their passion and possibly keeps them from more 'dubious' activities. CR