A DOWNEND badminton coach has been named one of the community’s heroes for her dedication to the sport.
Penny Shears is one of ten individuals and groups to be presented with one of this year’s South Gloucestershire Community Awards by council chair Franklin Owusu-Antwi.
Penny first started coaching in 1987 when her children played at a club at Downend School. The club later moved to Yate, and is known as Yate Racketeers Junior Badminton Club.
Penny also volunteers with the Henleaze-based Beaufort Badminton Club’s junior section and works part-time as a paid coach for adults and children.
Her citation read: “Penny is a very good badminton player herself (winning medals at both World and European Senior Championships), so understands how competitive sport can help children strive to do better.
“Penny’s dedication has done more than just improve physical and mental well-being – her club and her drive have changed the course of people’s lives.
“Her inspiration is infectious, and she has encouraged many others to volunteer and support their local community.”
Cllr Owusu-Antwi said: “Looking through the nominations has been a real privilege and in many cases I could feel the warmth behind the words towards the individuals and groups being nominated.”