Somerset Rebels promoter Debbie Hancock was recognised by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Motorcycle Speedway (APPG) in being selected as their Premier League promoter of the Year during an awards ceremony held at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.
APPG vice-chairman, Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby and Bulkington, paid tribute to Debbie Hancock and what has been achieved at the Oaktree Arena in Highbridge.
“The APPG Premier League award goes to a lady who heads up an operation in a field in Somerset,” he said. “Well, it used to be a farmer’s field, now it is a thriving venue which operates as a focal point for community events, special occasions, conferences, and, of course, in the context that we are looking at it today, a highly successful speedway track which for the last few years has regularly hit the heights in the Premier League.”
“The Oaktree Arena is her pride and joy, and whenever the team, which includes her parents as well as co-promoter Garry May, and the riders, bring a national trophy to Somerset, the team ethic is one which is proudly displayed by the club.”
“At the helm is a lady with great drive and enthusiasm for the whole Oaktree Arena project and it is fitting that just a few weeks after the ‘team’ collected the Premier League title that we make special recognition of its driving force, Debbie Hancock.”
Due to a clash with another event, Debbie could not be at the award ceremony and so Garry May accepted the award on her behalf.
Speaking of her award, Debbie Hancock told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I am very honoured to have been recognised by such an influential group, and I am sorry that I was not able to attend the presentation in order to collect the award in person.”
“But in accepting the award, I do so on behalf of everyone behind the scenes who have helped to make Somerset Speedway and the Oaktree Arena the success it has become in recent times, which will hopefully continue for many years to come.”
Pictured: Somerset co-promoter Garry May receiving the award of behalf of Debbie Hancock – picture courtesy of Steve Brock
