THE outstanding contribution to sport made by county enthusiasts on the national stage was last night evident at Herefordshire Sports Council's 2002 Awards.

Six of the main award winners at the council's 23rd annual presentation ceremony at Hereford's Royal National College for the Blind had each made their mark at the national level of their chosen sport.

Veteran cyclist Gordon Butler, 67, collected the Sportsman of the Year title for a memorable campaign in which he became the South Wales Veteran Time Trial Association Best All-rounder.

The Hereford and District Wheelers Cycling Club racer, who lives at Clifford, also secured the Welsh Cycling Association 50-Mile Veteran title.

Hereford-based rower Helen Ellison picked up the Sportswoman of the Year honour for winning gold in the lightweight single sculls and a bronze in the eights for Wales at the prestigious Commonwealth Regatta.

The club captain of Imperial College Rowing Club, she also secured a creditable fourth-place finish at the Great Britain Women's Indoor Rowing Championships.

Ross-on-Wye Judo Club's Margaret Williams picked up the Junior Sports Award for becoming the top ranked British female judo player in her age group.

The Whitchurch-based youngster, now 14, landed the British National Champion title in the 57+kg section and a gold medal at the Welsh Closed Championships.

Hereford Kayak Club's Allen Spencer and Hereford Swimming Club's Charlotte Tully were both highly commended in the junior section.

Royal National College for the Blind student Lee Greatbach collected the Disabled Sports Personality Award. He represented England at the Blind Football World Championships in Brazil, helped England to claim a silver medal at the European Championships in Paris, and performed at international football tournaments in Greece, Italy and England. Greatbach has also been selected for the Great Britain Judo training squad.

Leominster Bowling Club's sisters Tracey Powell and Linda Smith collected the Senior Team of the Year accolade for their triumph in the English Women's Bowling Association National Pairs championship,.

Ledbury Rugby Club's first team were highly commended in the Senior Team of the Year section for their victory in the North Midlands Shield and also winning the Bethel Trophy.

Coach of the Year title went to Hereford Swimming Club's Richard Blackshaw, who has trebled the number of Hereford swimmers who have won County Championships and coached seven swimmers to national qualifying times, among other achievements.

And Harry Hancox, of Golden Valley Rifle Club and Hereford Acoustic Shooting Club, gained the Service to Sport Award. Hancox has shot for Great Britain at national and international level and is founder of Hereford Acoustic Shooting Club, which provides opportunities for disabled people.

Herefordshire County Hockey Association stalwart Bill Housden, a catalyst for hockey in the county, was highly commended.

Westfields Football Club gained the Club of the Year accolade for establishing a local partnership with the Hereford Sixth Form College to develop their new ground and facilities, and also being the first senior outfit in Herefordshire to achieve FA Charter Standard Status.

Another football club, FC Phoenix, were highly commended for receiving FA Charter Standard Status, being named West Midlands FA Charter Standard Club of the Year and receiving the FA Fair Play Award.

Hereford Ruby Club's Colts' section secured the Junior Team of the Year honour for lifting the North Midlands Colts Cup, while Burghill & Tillington Cricket Club's Under-11 team were highly commended for winning the Herefordshire County League crown and having players selected for the county side.

The presentations were made by Jon Argent, the chief executive of Halo Leisure, while there were addresses by Sports Council chairman Tony Larkin and secretary Bryan White.

l A further report and more pictures will appear in next week's edition.