TENDRING Volleyball Club hosted their inaugural awards evening to celebrate the success of the season and the club's 25-year anniversary.

The club have a proud history that started at Tendring High School in 1991.

Within five years, the school won the national under-15 boys' title and then after seven years, in 1998, the school represented England at the World Schools (ISF) event.

This success has continued to the present day and both the men’s and women’s National Leagues are littered with former players that started their careers at Tendring.

A number of individuals were recognised during the evening as being key to the establishment of the club, playing a major role in the initial success.

These included Mark Harris, Pete Robinson, Darren Lewis and Liam Chinnery.

Chairman Alex Porter said: "Over the last 25 years, Tendring have been more than just a school team, more than just a club.

"It's a family and the awards evening has been a great way to bring together current and former members to celebrate our silver anniversary.

"I hope this event grows in the future and becomes a key date in everyone's diary for years to come.

“Our club is run not for profit.

"None of our coaches, secretaries, scorers or other helpers receive any money for what they do.

"They help the club because they want to, because they see the enjoyment it gives to the members and because they want to be part of our family.”

The awards were presented by councillor Mark Platt (vice-chairman of Tendring District Council) and Les Davies (the club's National League fixtures secretary).

Over the 25 years the club has been established, it has never formally recognised or rewarded its members for the achievement of individuals who have gone on to represented their country as a player, coach or referee. Until now.

The new prestigious "TVC Star" international honours award has now been awarded to current or former members of the club who have represented their country during an international match as a player, referee or coach.

The 2015-16 award winners were:

Tendring Lions: Most Improved Player: Rob Sharman; Most Valuable Player: Aaron Jones.

Tendring Tigers: Most Improved Player: Claire Palfrey; Most Valuable Player: Alvie Co.

Tendring Heatec: Most Improved Player: Chester Searle; Most Valuable Player: Jack Bruce.

Tendring Ladies Academy: Most Improved Player: Amy Lane; Most Valuable Player: Alvie Co.

Tendring men’s second team: Most Improved Player: Chester Searle; Most Valuable Player: Craig Lawrie.

Tendring men’s first team: Most Improved Player: Jack Bruce; Most Valuable Player: Derek Guimond.

Tendring ladies first team: Most Improved Player: Millie Smith; Most Valuable Player: Laura Hodgkinson.

TVC Stars International Honours: International playing honours at England cadet level: Tom Deacon, Nick Brand, Joseph Alhallak and Amy Lane

International players honours at England junior level: Tom Dean, Tom Robinson, Dan Warner, James Price, Alec Richardson, Matthew Rouse, Ryan Everitt, Mitchell Lawrence, Jonah Thomas, Jessica Lane, Fran Smith-Daye, Charlotte Bontems, Jack Nash and Sophie Lane

International playing honours (Cyprus senior level): Katerina Lamprou.

International playing honours at England senior level: Wayne Davies, Sonny Channey, James Baker and Neil Masters.

International playing honours at GB level: Alex Porter.

International coaching honours: Liam Chinnery, Darren Lewis, Alex Porter and Neil Masters.

International refereeing honours: Sebastian Widlarz.

Special thanks to Clacton Beach Volleyball Tournament for sponsoring the local league awards and the following local businesses who offered raffle prizes - Lifehouse Spa & Hotel, Wrights of Frinton, Mumford Tool Hire, British India and SLC Health & Fitness Club.