2013 Stratford-on-Avon District Sports Awards

A special Stratford-on-Avon District Sports Awards, organised by Stratford-on-Avon District Council and sponsored by Rybrook MINI Stratford, Everyone Active and NFU Mutual, took place on Friday 25^th January with over 250 guests in attendance.

The Celebration of Sport hosted by the Stratford Manor 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 event, in its eleventh year, paid tribute to the Olympic and Paralympic Games held last summer, in particular to Stratford's Paralympic Gold medallist James Roe who attended the event as special guest for the evening along with Olympic Canoeist from 1992 Paul Brain and Paralympic double medallist Mark Butler. The event also recognised the hard work from the dedicated Gamesmakers who were invited to celebrate the evening alongside the local sporting heroes.

The youngest ever winner of an award at the event was that of 12 year old Isobel Roberts, a young archer from Fenny Compton winning the Junior Sports Person category. Isobel is currently part of British Archery's talent programme of young athletes looking towards future success.

Martyn Brookhouse and Maverick Sports were recognised for their specialised work with children and young people with learning disabilities, providing organised sporting opportunities and fun activities each week, in being awarded the NFU Community Sports Award sponsored by NFU Mutual.

Volunteer of the year award went to Tom Heenan from Stratford Cycling Club. Tom was recognised for the huge amount of work he has put into the club in developing their junior section and the Go-ride programme with schools and supported by British Cycling, encouraging young people to ride in a safe and secure environment, learning the necessary skills, before taking themselves onto the roads.

Stratford Athletic Club came away with a hat-trick of awards with Andrew Pozzi once again winning the Senior Sports Person category after being recognised for his achievements in being selected for GB at the London Olympics; Paul Bearman, Andrew's former coach, won the Coach of the Year award and the Club's Triathlon Team won Senior team of the Year after a batch of successful results at last year European Championships.

Other award winners on the evening were:

• Junior Team: Stratford-upon-Avon School Girls Football team
• Alternative Sport Award: Nicole Brain, Canoe-polo
• Service to Sport Award: Mat Pickering, Stratford Boxing Club.

A special mention of thanks must go to the Stratford Herald and Lisa Chambers Jewellers for their continued support of the awards and to Angel Music Group for donating four VIP weekend passes to GlobalGathering 2013 for the raffle.

Thank you to all businesses who donated category and raffle prizes including The West End, Shakespeare Hotel, The Garrick Inn, The Thatched Tavern, Loxley's Wine Bar,  Carrie-Jayne Beauty, Movers & Shapers, Lush, The Dirty Duck, The White Swan, Mida Mediterranean restaurant, Church Street, Vin Neuf, Witherspoons, Marco's, Stratford Mini Golf and Thornton's.

Also £690 was raised from the raffle for the District Council's Chairman's charities - The Shakespeare Hospice, WelcombeHillsSchool and Warks & Northants Air Ambulance.

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