Huge thanks are due to our Australian friends John Henry and his wife Maree for providing us with the Winners Sash for the Open 90 metres for the Games right through until the 165th Games in 2021. The sash has been made available to the winner of the "Big Sprint" since John brought a troupe of his runners to Alva in 2007 when fellow Australian Ken Telfer won the event for the first of two occasions. He was to return to take the title again 2 years later off a much reduced mark.

The Games Committee is delighted that John and Maree have become such an integral part of the Alva family and are extremely grateful for their continued support. Thanks are also due to Wallace McGown for bringing them back from his recent trip to Australia.