Royal recognition for 50-year stoolball stalwarts

John and Kay Price earned their recognition from the Torch Trophy Trust; a charity which recognises and supports volunteers in sports and recreation across the UK.

The pair were nominated by Stoolball England after holding a multitude of volunteer positions between them, including stints as president, chairman and treasurer.

They have also played a vital part in many voluntary projects.

John and Kay co-founded a new governing body, Stoolball England and covered a multitude of responsibilities from umpiring, coaching and the development of new sports equipment, to organising events and competitions within the sport.

They even helped form England teams for the under-21s, ladies and the over-50s and organised annual exhibition games, allowing the players to represent their country in the sport they love.

Their volunteer work is not only confined to stoolball as they have also volunteered in athletics, football and rugby. Horsham Rugby Club has its own ground because John and Kay raised much of the money

They also formed and managed teams within Roffey Robins Football Club, including introducing the girls’ teams.

Stoolball England’s citation to the trust said: “Both have used their immense experience to help the development of sport in the United Kingdom and are true pioneers within the world of grassroots sport.”

Torch Trophy Trust chairman Paul Dimond said: “We’re delighted John and Kay have become our first-ever joint-award winners.

“Together, they epitomise the spirit of the trust’s aims in recognising outstanding volunteers.

“Their tremendous work to support others across a series of sports as well as their own, is deserving of the highest possible praise.

“Every year, the Torch Trophy Trust Awards reveal outstanding people whose selfless commitment to their chosen sport has made a major difference. Without doubt, John and Kay are in that category.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make this website your homepage

2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex

3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!