Achievements recognised in the Sussex Sports Awards

WINNERS of every kind were in the spotlight at the annual Sussex Sports Awards, attended by more than 500 guests.

The evening was hosted by Derek Redmond, one of Great Britain's greatest 400m runners, at the Hilton Brighton Metropole. Our World Gold Medallist Master of Ceremonies is probably one of the most unlucky - yet determined - athletes ever. He famously snapped his hamstring during the semi finals of the Barcelona Olympics. Derek, who was a medal favourite, struggled to his feet and hobbled the remaining 250 meters with his father in a scene that has become one of the most enduring in modern Olympic history.

Derek told the assembled guests that luck has little to do with winning and emphasised that all the Sussex Sports Award finalists have shown huge passion and commitment to their game, making their hard work and talent count for more than just luck!

The sell-out awards featured lucky mascots from around the county – Gully from Brighton & Hove Albion; Sid the Shark from Sussex County Cricket Club; Howie the Hornet from Horsham FC - to name a few.

The fabulous LEGAT cheerleading and dance troupe entertained guests at the gala dinner with complimentary wine from Barefoot, part of the Gallo vineyards.

The Sussex County Sports Partnership, who organise the awards, received a record breaking number of nominations this year with the standard being extremely high.

Sadie Mason, Director of the Sussex County Sports Partnership said: “We continue to see the positive advancement of sport and active recreation in the county producing excellent achievement and results.

“This is reflected in tonight’s commendable winners and the clubs receiving the quality standard, Clubmark.

“The Sussex County Sports Partnership is proud to bring the Sussex Sports Awards to the county and we look forward to developing the evening with greater passion and celebration in the run up to London 2012. Keep up the fantastic work you do for the county!”

The 2009 Sussex Sports Awards Winners are:

Blue Reach Response Innovation in Sport (Education)

Winner:

Worthing College Sports Academy

For their focus and commitment to developing opportunities with creative and innovative timetabling and institutional flexibility that produced excellent results at regional and national championships.

Runners-up:

Active Street Games (Hastings Borough Council)

East Grinstead Sports Club

MKK Sports Active Sussex Professional of the Year

Winner:

Ken Dullaway, Active Street Games Co-ordinator, Hastings

For being a motivator, mentor and coach. He makes a real difference to his community by engaging young disadvantaged people and inspiring them into sport and positive activity.

Runners-up:

Carrie Reynolds (works for Inspire Leisure in Arun)

Teresa Bennett (Filsham Valley School – Hastings)

Wave Leisure Active & Healthy Workplace Initiative

Winner:

Propellernet, Hove

This company has got the work/life/activity balance just right! It encourages and supports employees to take part in physical challenges for fun and competition recruiting and creating people with a real zest for life!

Runners-up:

Nibbles of Worthing LTD

Wellbeing at Work Project (based in Brighton and Hove)

SkillsActive Coach of the Year

Winner:

Julie House - Based in Goring, Worthing

Julie dedicates hours to her love of netball by coaching various clubs and sessions. She takes players to a national level. An asset to netball and the county!

Runners-up:

Jackie Wood (Based in Lewes – Disability Sport)

Lisa Harrison (Based in Crawley - Judo)

Tim Vail (Based in Sussex - Squash)

University of Brighton Young Coach of the Year

Winner:

Oliver Young - Based in Sharpethorne, West Sussex

For services and commitment to Judo being a popular role model he inspires and motivates to develop his sport

Runners-up:

Kim Stenning (Based in Littlehampton – Football)

Matthew Green (Based in Brighton - Cricket)

Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP Club of the Year

Winners of the public vote:

Brighton and Hove Hockey Club

A Clubmark club who have excelled in competition and developing their sport in the community to produce quality provision.

Runners-up:

Brighton and Hove Gymnastics Club

Brighton Cougars Basketball Club

Sussex Life Team of the Year

Winners:

Brighton and Hove Special Olympics Team

For amazing success at this year’s Brighton Special Olympics with 9 golds, 11 slivers and four bronzes. A truly brilliant achievement by the city’s Special Olympic squad.

Runners-up:

East Grinstead Hockey CLub and Men’s 1st XI

Glynde and Beddingham Cricket Club

Juice FM Young Team of the Year

Winner:

Dorothy Stringer High School (Year 9 Girls Basketball Team)

This team progressed to become not just league champions but National School Champions. They have inspired other girls to take up the sport and coach in their spare time.

Runners-up:

Chichester Priory Park Cricket Club (U13 Girls)

Dorothy Stringer High School (U14 Boys Basketball Team)

Sussex County FA Volunteer of the Year

Winner:

Ian Stewart – From Bexhill-on-Sea

For his amazing work with the Special Olympics Team from Hastings and Rother

Runners-up:

Celia Tambeh (Based in St Leonards – Athletics)

Patricia Taylor (Based in Hastings – Football)

Sport England Young Volunteer of the Year

Winner:

Ruby Baverstock - Based in Crawley

Ruby shows a talent and commitment to Netball that is impressive and awesome. A very deserving winner.

Runners-up:

Ben Gerrey (Based in Hove – Cycling)

Hannah Cutress (Based in Poynings – Netball)

Midnight Communications Unsung Hero Award

Winner:

Mike Richardson from Hove Rugby Club

He has been a tireless contributor to Rugby for over 35 years. While volunteering many hours for his club, he has also been appointed Secretary for the Sussex Society of Referees, volunteers as a senior marshal at their Twickenham and are a referee assessor for rugby.

Runners-up:

Alan Perkins (Based in Crawley - Cricket)

Ian Stewart (Based in Bexhill-on-Sea – Disability Sport)

West Sussex-Ahead of the Game Disabled Sports Personality of the Year

Winner:

Sascha Kindred - based in Crawley

Recent achievements include 3 gold medals in the European championships. His career to date has seen him win over 350 medals, breaking many British, European and world records before receiving an OBE in 2009. This person is a real ambassador for his sport and has recently been appointed as a schools sports ambassador for the Youth Sport Trust.

Runners-up:

Liam Beresford (Based in Ringmer – Boccia)

Richard Schabel (Based in East Grinstead - Athletics)

University of Chichester Young Sports Personality of the Year

Winner:

Emily Llewellyn for Equestrian

During 2009 season, she has won several national events, notably the British National University and the National Under 25 Championships despite only being 20 years old. She is a long serving member of the youth GB Team helping this team to retain the gold medal at this year’s European Championships.

Runners-up:

Alex Mills-Barton (Based in Seaford – Sailing)

Benjamin Urban (Based in Hastings – Judo)

Daina Rose (Based in Hastings – Trampolining)

Felix English (Based in Arlington – Cycling

Freedom Leisure Sports Personality of the Year

Winner:

Gemma Spofforth - Born in Shoreham

Swimming, 2009’s winner of the Sussex sport personality is an Olympian who became the first female athlete to win the world 100m Backstroke title and the first since 1958 to hold the world record. She also set a new British record in the 200m backstroke and 4 x 200m medley relay. And she is still only 22.

Runners-up:

Caroline Hoyte (Based in Hove - Athletics )

Paul William Winter (Based in Brighton - Triathlon)

The Argus Lifetime Achievement Award

WINNER:

Jack Wilkinson (Based in Hove)

The Lifetime Achievement Award has been bestowed by the judges on a former South East Regional Director for Sport England; Planner for East Sussex County Council; co-founder of the Sports Development unit at the University of Brighton; and previous interim Director of Sussex County Sports Partnership.

The judges were unanimous in their decision to pay tribute to Jack. Acknowledging his commitment and enthusiasm for the Sussex sporting cause, he is seen as a consummate ambassador for sport in the community , always paying special attention to the fact, that ‘all sport is local’.

Jack has been a key driver of sports development in the region for over three decades. Described as being ‘full of passion and dedication’, he has worked tirelessly for sport in the county. This is a well-deserved accolade to the man described as the as the ‘Superman’ of Sussex Sport.

Runners Up:

Ros Slaughter (Based in Chichester)

Sandra Pamplin (Based in Hastings)

The judging panel for the awards included national and regional level sports professionals. The judges were:

Steve Grainger - Chief Executive, Youth Sport Trust Paul Jarvis - South East Regional Development Manager – Physical Activity, Department Of Health – South East Mark Llewellyn-Slade – Managing Director, Awards Intelligence Mahesh Patel - National Sports Development Manager, English Federation of Disability Sport Ben Quilter - Judo Paralympian Stephen Studd - Chief Executive, SkillsActive Sally Harper - Sports Development Manager, Sussex County Sports Partnership Claire Syvert - Relationship Manager – Community Sport, Sport England Richard Yule - Chief Executive, English Table Tennis Association Colin Blackmore - Head Coach, Lewes Badminton Club