The Hereford Times Herefordshire Sport Awards 2009 (From Hereford Times)

The Hereford Times Herefordshire Sport Awards 2009

10:38am Friday 5th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

THE importance of working together to achieve success was emphasised at Herefordshire Sport’s Awards.

Ross Rowing Club had one of their most memorable nights with five top honours at last Wednesday’s presentation ceremony.

Herefordshire Sport’s honorary secretary, Bryan White, told a packed audience that a united approach helped to fulfil sporting dreams.

Speaking at the 30th annual presentation evening, White highlighted Herefordshire Sport’s innovations over the past 12 months.

White outlined Herefordshire Sport’s new website, the Herefordshire Sport’s Aspire project and the Sports Assist Club Grant Scheme.

Herefordshire Sport has two new officers, Lorraine Cross and Holly Penwarden, who are working with disabled and high-level performers, respectively.

The new Sports Assist Club Grant Scheme has been set up to encourage clubs to organise an event which will attract new people take up a sport or bring others back into the fold.

Grant money will be made available to Herefordshire clubs who can deliver a project or event using their existing resources to target key areas. These include women and girls, disabled people, the immigrant population or potentially high-performers.

“People who perform at the highest level need some support,” said White.

“Perhaps there are businesses in Herefordshire who can help people towards their Paralympian dream?” he asked.

Herefordshire Sport chairman Tony Larkin spoke about the IBSA Blind Football World Championships 2010 which are being held in Hereford this summer. All matches and training sessions are taking place at Hereford’s Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) where players and officials will also be based.

Larkin, who works at RNC, is head coach of the England team and is looking forward the tournament which runs from August 14 to 22.

He said the county’s schools would have a chance to adopt one of the 10 competing nations.

England, France, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, China, Japan and South Korea will be joined by an African qualifier.

Larkin said schools could explore the history and culture of their adopted country through art, history or creative writing.

“The championships will put Hereford on the sporting map and open the door to other exciting learning opportunities.”

In the awards ceremony, Great Britain rower Steve Tuck picked up the Junior Male of the Year title.

Ross Men’s High Performance Squad won the Senior Team honour and the club’s Junior Academy scooped the Junior Team accolade.

Ross Rowing Club were the Club of the Year, while another club rower, Rhiannon Jones, was highly commended in the Sportswoman section.

John Price shared the Service to Sport award with Phil Wells from Hereford & County Athletics Club.

Judo player Stan Cantrill and cyclist Sarah Lloyd-Stephens were the county’s Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year.

Cantrill was also presented with his competitive Fifth Dan black belt by Leominster Judo Club.

Para dressage rider Alison Moore was the Disabled Sportswoman, while gymnast Emily Goring won the Junior Female honour for the second successive year.

Young sailor Martin Wrigley was highly commended in the Junior Male category and footballer Demi Edwards highly commended in the Junior Female section.

Hereford Sixth Form College student Chris Phillips, from Garway, was the Young Volunteer of the Year.

Emma Patrick, who coaches Paralympic swimming stars Sascha Kindred and Nyree Lewis, was Coach of the Year.

St Paul’s Primary School were the 2009 Primary School of the Year.