Bedford Sports Awards
Bedford Sports Awards
2012 Sports Awards
On a cold evening on Monday
10th December the Corn Exchange was looking resplendent
and set to receive around 350 guests for a special London 2012
themed celebration of Sport and to recognise the massive wealth of
talent and dedication to Sport that exists in Bedford, in what is
probably the biggest gathering “ever” of sports people the town has
ever seen!
The tables were laid with original London 2012
bunting and complimented by official 2012 mascot models – the stage
was decked with official 2012 flags and the big screen was
replaying some of the greatest moments from the summer.
After an introduction from the Principal
Sports Development Officer (Richard Tapley) the Deputy Mayor , Cllr
Charles Royden, officially welcomed the 350
guests/nominees/sponsors to the evening.
There was a special welcome to Bedford’s
Olympic guests:
- 2012 Olympic Gold Medallist – Etienne Stott (who had just
been given the Freedom of the Borough at a special ceremony that
morning)
- 2012 Olympic Bronze Medallist – Phelan Hill
- 2012 Paralympic Team members Julie Rogers & Jessica
Frezza
- 2004 Olympic Silver Medallist and MBE – Gail Emms
The Deputy Mayor acknowledged the part that
the people of the Borough have played in making the summer of 2012
so memorable…. both at local and National level and welcomed a
range of Gamesmakers, torch bearers and pre-games training camp
volunteers onto the stage to thank them.
The 2012 Winners
Adults Sports Personality of the Year
Josh Bassett – Rugby
Union
Having started playing rugby with Ampthill at
a young age, Josh is now a contracted player for Bedford Blues and
has started all but one match this season. He has been selected for
the RFU Championship XV squad and played against the New Zealand
Maori. Josh has achieved national recognition for his age group in
the U20 England Squad and continues to push himself to improve his
skills as a player.
Junior Sports Personality of the Year
Charles Clark – Handball
Charles has played for England in the U16
Handball Team and last year was selected as Goalkeeper for the U17
Handball Team. Charles is also currently trialling for the U19
England Handball Team. Over the past two years Charles has worked
in Middle and Upper Schools helping to promote Handball and helps
coach many teams.
Sports Club of the Year
Viking Kayak Club
Viking Kayak Club is open to everyone from all
ages, abilities and backgrounds. Viking Kayak Club is proud to
boast the success of; Etienne Stott Olympic Gold Medallist, Jake
Silvester 12th in the UK Men’s Kayak Slalom, Andy
Kettlewell promoted to Premier Division and Jess Harding and Davina
Louisy promoted to Ladies Division One.
Sports Team of the Year
Beauchamp U13’s Team –
Handball
The team entered the Midlands Schools Handball
Championships for the first time this year where they became
outright winners in their age category. This win gave Beauchamp
U13’s team a place in the National Schools Finals at the Olympic
Park Venue for Handball, gaining an outstanding second place
ranking. They have also been invited to Sweden to represent England
U13’s at the Partille Cup Tournament.
Sporting School of the Year
Bedford
Academy
Bedford Academy has many talented teams and
individuals, including; Year 9’s becoming District Table Tennis
winners, the Girl’s Cricket Team were County Champions and their
Handball Team come 3rd in the District. Bronze and
Silver medals were also achieved at the World Kurash Championships.
Anisha Won the Award for the County Women’s Cricketer and Nadia won
the ‘Sky Living for Sport’ Student of the Year Award.
Judges certificate of recognition:
Milton Ernest Lower
School
Milton Ernest Lower School’s biggest success
has been in Gymnastics. Children in Key Stage 1 won the Local Key
Steps Competition, the County Key Steps Competition and went on to
be crowned Regional Schools Gymnastics Champions. Children in Key
Stage 2 won the Local Competition, came second in the County and
third in the Region. A great achievement for a school with only 60
pupils!
Sports Coach of the Year
Simon Eastwood –
Athletics
Simon is a level 3 Pole Vault coach and has
coached in Bedford for over 20 years. He coaches nearly 20
athletes, six of whom rank in the national top 20 of their age
group. These athletes include four individuals who are in the top
ten and one who tops the rankings and holds the all-time best
record for an 11 year old. Simon is passionate about Pole Vault and
is deeply committed to his coaching.
Sports Administrator/Club Person of the Year
Dennis Johnson –
Athletics
Dennis is extremely conscientious and works
thousands of hours a year in many different roles such as; Level 4
Athletics Coach, Chairman and Team Manager for the Bedfordshire and
Luton Schools Athletics Association, Local Secretary for English
Schools National Combined Events Championships, Bedford and County
AC Portfolio Holder for Awards and Records and Vice President of
Bedfordshire Athletics Association.
Disability Sports Award
William McAllister – Golf
Despite recovering from a heart attack William
has devoted all of his spare time to golf. Now recognised as the
Best Total Blind Golfer in England, William has also improved by 15
shots on handicap and has the lowest round by a Total Blind Golfer
this year. William has also been selected for home international
matches representing England and one day hopes to win the British
Open and the World Championships.
Rising Star Award
Nicola Pasquire –
Swimming
Nicola competed in the Olympic 2012 Trials for
the 400 freestyle and ranked 11th in the Country at the
ASA National Champs in 200/400/800 freestyle, Nicola is also ranked
4th in the Country in the 800 freestyle for 14 year old
girls. Nicola is dedicated to swimming and is County Record Holder
for the 800 freestyle, taking 6 seconds off the previous
record.
William White – Rowing
Will got involved in rowing two years ago
through an indoor rowing programme that Star Club runs in local
schools. Wills development in the sport has been excellent and he
claimed the clubs fastest junior sculler over 2k last season. He
has also qualified for Henley and now has the potential to progress
through to represent GB at the Junior Rowing Championships.
Outstanding Achiever Award
Etienne Stott – Canoe
Slalom
Last year Etienne, from Viking Kayak Club,
dislocated his shoulder and had to be operated on, however within 2
months he was back in the Canoe. Etienne, along with Tim Baillie,
produced a solid performance in the International World
Championships coming 6th. Etienne and Tim then became
the British Olympic Gold medal Slalom Champions and won the first
medal ever in the C2 category at London 2012 this summer.
Young Sports Volunteer of the Year
Gino Ciampa – Football
Gino has taken part in a sponsored zip wire
ride in aid of a charity which provides help for disabled and
disadvantaged children to get into sport, he is also involved in
running events. He regularly attends and helps at coaching
sessions and takes up any opportunity to get involved. He mainly
volunteers at Bedford Town Youth FC training sessions and match
days but has also achieved around 100 hours of volunteering for
football fixtures run by the FA in refereeing, coaching and
events.
2011
Please click
here to view the 2011 Bedford Sports Awards Programme with the
full list of Nominees
View the photos of the evening on our facebook page
- www.facebook.com/bedfordsportsdevelopment
2011 Winners
Sports Club of the Year – Bedford and County Athletics
Club
Rising Star Award – Anisha Thind
(Cricket)
Sporting School of the Year – St
Gregory’s Middle School
Junior Sports Personality of the Year –
Edward Munno (Rowing)
Young Volunteer of the Year – Shevaun
Davis and Jonathan Powell (Sailing)
Sports Team of the Year – U18
Sharnbrook Upper School Netball Team (Netball)
Sports Administrator or Club Person of
the Year – Kate Costin (Hockey)
Sports Coach of the Year – Carl Denham
(Gymnastics)
Disabled Sports Award – Elisabeth
Curtis Centre (Riding for the Disabled)
Adult Sports Personality of the Year –
Lucy James (Athletics)
Open ‘Pride’ Award – Paula Radcliffe
(Athletics)
Special Commendations:
Glen Paxton – Cricket
Bernard Wells – Athletics
Please
click here to view the 2011 Bedford Sports Awards Programme
with the full list of Nominees
View the photos of the evening on our
facebook page - www.facebook.com/bedfordsportsdevelopment
If you have any queries please contact Amy
Rance on 01234 718827
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2010
Please click
here to view the 2010 Bedford Sports
Awards Programme
Click
here to view the feedback from the Sports Awards
2010
The evening of the 14th December witnessed the
biggest ever gathering of Bedford sports people from across the
borough that has probably EVER taken place!
The annual Bedford Sports Awards took place in
the Corn Exchange, and hosted over 350 guests. Organised by the
Borough Council Sports Development Team; the event aims to
recognise the many achievements and contributions that local people
make to sport.
There were 11 different award categories and
organisers received a record number of nominations from clubs,
schools and individuals from across the borough.
Amy Rance, Sports Development Officer and
Event Organiser at the Bedford Borough Council, said: “The whole
event is really inspirational. It shows how many great achievements
and potential achievers there are in Bedford. I also feel that
without this event many sporting clubs and individuals may not gain
the recognition that they deserve.”
Guest speaker, Barry Fry, entertained guests
with his passion, enthusiasm and anecdotes! Winners were presented
with their awards by the sponsors following the opening of the
golden envelope.
Click on the image to
see the image in full
Sports Personality of the Year (Adult) –
Charlotte Cook (Rowing)
Sports Personality of the Year (17 and under)
– Shaunagh Craig (Netball)
Sports Club of the Year – Bedford Ladies
Football Club
Sports Team of the Year – Beds and County Mens
Cross Country Team
Sporting School of the Year – Westfield Middle
School
Sports Coach of the Year – Maggie Jackson
(Netball)
Sports Administrator/ Club Person of the Year
– Andy Croft (Windsurfing)
Special mention for Robin Gell
Disability Award – Julie Rogers
Rising Star Award – Sarah Kerr (All
rounder)
Young Sports Volunteer of the Year – Hannah
Stark (Karate)
Open Pride – Mike Rayer (Rugby)
Click
here to view the feedback from the Sports Awards 2010
Please click
here to view the 2010 Bedford Sports
Awards Programme
If you have any queries please contact Amy Rance on 01234
221700
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2009
Bedford Borough Council’s Sports Development Unit and Sport
Bedford presented the 14th Annual Sports Awards 2009
which took place on Monday 14th December at the Corn Exchange,
Bedford.
Winners:
Megan
Hodgkins
Young Sports Volunteer of the Year
Jake
Devereux
Rising Star Award
Miles
Northwood
Disability Sports Award
Sue & Derrick
Harper Sports Administrator/Club person of the
Year
Alex
Stanton
Coach of the Year
Westfield
School
Sporting School of the Year
Star Club Junior Rowing
Squad Sports
Team of the Year
Priory Sailing
Club
Club of the Year
Lucy
James
Junior Sports Personality of the Year
John
Barnes
Adult Sports Personality of the Year
Gail
Emms
Open ‘Pride’ Award
‘I am really please with how the award
evening went, I would like to thank the sponsors for helping us
support the event. We have had just shy of 110 nominations. From
the feedback so far everyone really enjoyed themselves and all
agree that it was a really inspirational evening. I am always
amazed at the amount of different sports Bedford represents, such
as Kayaking, Wrestling, Javelin, Cricket, Equestrian and Swimming.
I think that the Sports Awards are a really important evening in
the Event’s calendar as it promotes all the sporting success and
achievements in Bedford from grass routes to International
level.’ Amy Rance Sports Development Events Co-ordinator
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2008
2008 Winners are
as follows:
Sports Club of the Year 2008 – Viking Kayak Club
Rising Star 2008 – Aaron Buckingham (Kayaking)
Sporting School of the Year 2008 – Westfield Middle School
Sports Team of the Year 2008 – East Area Thai Kick Boxing
Squad
Sports Administrator / Club Person of the Year 2008 – Brian
Foster (Rowing)
Sports Coach of the Year 2008 – Nigel Thompson (Kick Boxing)
Disability Sports Award 2008 – Jack Gambrill
(Athletics)
Junior Sports Personality of the Year 2008 – Hannah Firth
(Athletics)
Adult Sports Personality of the Year 2008 – Etienne Stott
(Kayaking)
Open ‘Pride’ Award 2008 – Paula Radcliffe (Athletics)
Young Sports Volunteer of the Year – Charlotte Broughton (Multi
Sports)
"I would like to thank everyone who came to the Sports Awards
2008 and made it an inspiring evening. You people made the evening
what it was! Many thanks." Amy Rance Event Organiser.
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Sponsors
All of the awards were sponsored by companies/organisations in
and around Bedford, for more information click on the chosen
logo.
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