This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2014at 12:52 pm by zoe.leahy@activenation.org.uk

Proud To Help Recognise The Cream Of South Derbyshire’s Sporting Crop

Active Nation was proud to help recognise the cream of South Derbyshire’s sporting crop – as well as some unsung heroes.

Gymnastics geniuses, swimming superstars and top-notch table tennis talents were among those lauded at the district’s annual sports awards.

Sponsors – including Active Nation – handed out certificates and trophies to those striving for stardom or performing miracles behind the scenes.

Active Nation’s deputy contract manager for South Derbyshire, Steve Smith felt privileged to hand over the awards for Community Coach Of The Year, Professional Sportsperson Of the Year and the Young Sports Leader/Coach Of The Year.

He said: “It’s brilliant for Active Nation to be able to support such talented sports people and coaches and the fact that many winners are also recipients of our Sports Pass Scheme which is run in conjunction with SDDC shows that our facilities can help to improve local athletes.”

Cllr Peter Smith, the chairman of South Derbyshire Sport, said: “Recognising the vast array of talented sportspeople that we have in South Derbyshire is always a pleasure, and the awards night never fails to be both emotional and inspirational.

“We received many nominations for many outstanding and dedicated people this year and we hope this number will continue to grow through the success of our Igniting the Legacy project.

“We’d like to congratulate all of our winners and runners-up and wish them every success in what we’re certain will be glittering future sporting careers.

“A big thank you goes to all of our sponsors, who support not only the awards evening but also the South Derbyshire sports pass and grant scheme. Our sponsors for 2014 are Active Nation, Sainsbury’s, Aurora Country Developments, Stuart Batchelor, the South Derbyshire Partnership, South Derbyshire School Sports Partnership and South Derbyshire Sport.”

FULL LIST OF WINNERS:

Junior Sportsman of the Year: runner-up Will Allman (rugby union) – Melbourne Rugby Club and Northampton Saints Academy, England Under-17s international); winner Liam Richardson (taekwondo) – silver and bronze medals at Taekwondo International World Championships, silver at National British Championships.

Junior Sportswoman of the Year: runner-up Rebekah Walton (javelin) – gold medal at English Schools’ Athletics Championships in July; and runner-up Leah West (swimming) – represented England in Tri Nations Challenge in Glasgow during Commonwealth Trials Championships; winner Caitlin Williams (gymnastics) – ranked 13^th in country for her discipline of artistic gymnastics, and GB champion on the bars at Women’s Artistic Gymnastics L3 National Finals.

Junior Disabled Sportsperson of the Year: Lewis White (swimming) – youngest swimmer at British Gas International Swimming Championships in June at 14 years old, and made three finals. Bronze for England in UK School Games in September 2013.

Sportsperson of the Year: runner-up James Hadden (sailing) – in the top five in the UK for last three years in men’s heavyweight dinghy sailing, known as the Finn class; winner Thomas Taylor (archery) – 19-year-old helped to secure gold for Archery GB Junior Men’s team at World Youth Games in Moscow.

Community Coach of the Year: Vicky Lickorish (netball) – inspired mums, daughters and granddaughters to get active by setting up netball sessions in Overseal and organising matches.

Professional Sportsperson of the Year: James Gibbons (rugby) – England students international, just signed a two-year professional contract with Gloucester Rugby Club.

Performance Coach of the Year: Andi Manley (swimming) – mentors Derventio eXcel swimmers at Etwall Leisure Centre and across Derbyshire. This year coached three swimmers to GB representation.

Young Sports Leader/Coach of the Year: runner-up Chloe Locker – helps to run multi-sport club at Newhall’s William Allitt school as an SEN sports ambassador; runner-up Kameron Cooper – gives up one lunchtime a week to coach a Year Seven football team and organises fixtures; winner Samantha Beacham – sports leader and school sport ambassador at William Allitt, and helped to create a multi-sport club.

School Games Champions: Repton Primary School – winners of the Primary Schools South Derbyshire School Games Championships.

Contribution to School Sport: runner-up Matthew Baxter, Coton-in-the-Elms Primary School – went above and beyond to ensure pupils attend sporting competitions and uphold high levels of sportsmanship and etiquette; winner Deborah Holland, Pingle School – promoting sporting opportunities for pupils, including a static ‘Around the world in 80 school days’ challenge and football World Cup Day.

Club of the Year: runner-up Sharecroft Gymnastics Club – established for more than 30 years, with kids from pre-school age and boasting classes from recreational to competition squads; winner Hartshorne Cricket Club – actively involved with schools coaching and training young coaches, as well as running a host of community events and working alongside the parish council and other community organisations.

Team of the Year: Derventio eXcel – elite squad for Derbyshire swimmers, using Etwall Leisure Centre as one training base. Ten swimmers this year selected onto England talent programmes and eighth overall at recent ASA National Championships.

School Team of the Year: Newhall Community Junior School table tennis – won county schools competition at first attempt and went on to finish fifth in the country, having only been formed in April last year.

Service to Sport Award: Dave Bull (cricket) – chairman of South Derbyshire Cricket Development group for 15 years and chairman of Derbyshire Cricket Board. On a voluntary basis offers advice and guidance to clubs, on matters such as grant aid and child welfare; Rosie Port (netball) – instrumental in netball coaching locally, seeing girls through to international honours, and set up Loughborough Lightning to stop talented local athletes being lost to other franchises.

Special Recognition Award: Cllr John Lemmon for his dedication to improving and promoting sport in South Derbyshire and Derbyshire over many years.