Date Published: 23 November 2018
Local sports stars of all ages have been recognised at this year’s Active Rutland Community Sports Awards.
Now in their seventh year, the awards champion outstanding athletes, coaches, volunteers, sports clubs, participants and projects within Rutland – recognising people for their hard work, commitment and sporting success over the past year.
Following a rigorous judging process, the winners and runners up for this year’s awards were named at a special ceremony at Greetham Valley Hotel on 14 November.
A total of 16 awards presented on the night, recognising young people, adults and sports clubs that make an outstanding contribution to sport in Rutland.
Winners on the night were:
Junior Sportsman of the Year
Winner: Sam Wensley
Runner Up: Ben Sacker
Junior Sportswoman of the Year
Winner: Holly Crewe
Runner Up: Lauren Kelly
Young Sportsman of the Year
Winner: Tom Hattee
Runner Up: Will Begy
Young Sportswoman of the Year
Winner: Louise Kelly
Runner Up: Georgia Gilbert
Young Disabled Sportsperson of the Year
Winner: Emily Smart
Runner Up: Jensen Kendall and Logan Bell
Young Volunteer of the Year
Winner: Mia Cole and Hannah Okoye
Runner Up: Alice Hannan
Volunteer of the Year
Winner: Eleanor Bland
Runner Up: Barbara Crellin
Sportsman of the Year
Winner: Giles Cooper
Runner Up: Roger Canham
Sportswoman of the Year
Winner: Jessica Nelson
Runner Up: Val Millward
Disabled Sportsperson of the Year
Winner: Chris Emmet
Runner Up: Richard Wilson
Coach of the Year
Winner: Samantha Griffin
Runner Up: Kerry Gardner
Team of the Year
Winner: Rutland Panthers Petanque
Runner Up: Oakham Rugby Club U14 and The Mighty Ospreys
Physical Activity Programme Award
Winner: Walking Football
Runner Up: Cardiac Rehabilitation
Active Lifestyle Award
Winner: David Stokes
Runner Up: Trevor Wise
Club of the Year
Winner: Greetham Valley Golf Club
Runner Up: Rutland Youth Dance Academy
Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: George Morley
Runner Up: Charles Scott
“Every year the Sports Awards do a fantastic job of recognising people who promote sport in our county – whether by competing or working hard behind the scenes. Rutland punches well above its weight when it comes to sport. The huge variety of different sports on show at the awards highlight just how much there is to do in our county. I hope this inspires people, whatever their age, to get back into a sport they may have left behind or take up something completely new.”
Councillor Lucy Stephenson, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure
The overall sponsor for this year’s event was Tarmac.
“We're delighted that we have once again been able to support this great initiative, celebrating the hard work and talent on show at local sports clubs and physical activity sessions across the county. Well done to all those involved – especially the winners and runners up.”
Peter Hyde, Highways Maintenance Director at Tarmac
For more information about Active Rutland or to find a sport, team or club that’s local to you, please visit the Active Rutland website.