Celebration of Sport 2014

The annual Stratford-on-Avon District Celebration of Sport, organised by Stratford-on-Avon District Council and sponsored by Rybrook MINI Stratford, Everyone Active and NFU Mutual, took place on Friday 24 January with over 250 guests in attendance including Paralympic gold medallist James Roe MBE, and Olympians David Moorcroft OBE, Glen Smith, Paul Brain and Chris Arrowsmith.

The Celebration of Sport, now in its twelfth year and hosted by the Stratford Manor Q Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon celebrated the sporting achievements of clubs and individuals across the District and recognised wonderful contributions made from volunteers and parents. The District Council were pleased to welcome local 2012 Paralympic Gold Medallist James Roe MBE, local Olympians Glen Smith, Chris Arrowsmith and Paul Brain along with Coventry Athletic legend David Moorcroft OBE to assist in presenting the awards.

Junior athlete and No1 Under 17 high jumper in the Country, Rory Dwyer from Stratford Athletic Club, won Junior Sports Person of the Year whilst Triathlete Josh Newman, Stratford Athletic Club and Stratford Sharks walked away with the Senior Sports Person of the Year.

Volunteer of the Year award went to another Stratford Sharks member, Malcolm Ankrett. Malcolm was recognised for the huge amount of voluntary work he dedicates to Stratford Sharks as membership secretary.

Stratford Town Football Club were awarded Senior Team of the Year after their historic promotion to the conference league at the end of last season whilst special recognition was given to David Young of Stratford Rugby Club who has given over 50 years of service to the club and has vowed to continue for many more to come!

The full list of the winners:

Junior Sports Person of the Year: Rory Dwyer (Stratford Athletic Club).

Everyone Active Junior Team of the Year: Henley-in-Arden School Girls U16s netball team.

Alternative Sport of the Year Award: Josh Walker (competitive lifesaving).

NFU Mutual Community Sport Award: Rachael Dale (Jump Rope UK).

Senior Team of the Year: Stratford Town Football Club.

Rybrook Stratford Coach of the Year: Paul Brain (GB Canoe Polo).

Volunteer of the Year: Malcolm Ankrett (Stratford Sharks Swimming Club).

Senior Sports Person of the Year: Josh Newman (Stratford Athletic Club and Stratford Sharks Swimming Club).

Stratford Manor Q Hotel Service to Sport Award: David Young (Stratford Rugby Club).

Councillor Lynda Organ, Technical Services Portfolio says: “It is wonderful not only to see such a great depth of sporting talent within our district but also to recognise the large amount of work done by volunteers and coaches in making our sports clubs and schools so successful."

For more information on the Sports Awards please visit www.stratford.gov.uk/sportsawards

A special mention of thanks must go to the Stratford Herald newspaper and Lisa Chambers for their continued support of the event and to Angel Music for once again donating two weekend tickets to GlobalGathering 2014 for the raffle.

Thank you to all businesses who donated category and raffle prizes including Budgen's Stratford-upon-Avon, Tesco Stratford-upon-Avon, Lisa Chambers, The White Swan, The Shakespeare Hotel, Lush, The Garrick Inn, The Church St Townhouse, The New Bull's Head, Loxleys Wine Bar, Café 37, The Fourteas Tearooms, Waitrose, The Wildmoor Spa, Carrie-Jayne Beauty, The Dirty Duck and the Golden Bee.