Investing in sport needs visionaries
THE 2016 Greater Manchester Sports Awards sponsored by Visionary Sports Investment were due to take place at The Point, Emirates, Old Trafford, last night.
The awards see local winners from across all 10 local authorities come together with a chance of becoming Greater Manchester winner.
Below is a full list of nominees who will be representing Rochdale. COACH OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY WHY SPORTS: GARRY SMITH GARRY has delivered the Bridgeability (Disability) programme for over 20 disabled youngsters a week. Garry is Bridgeability, without him it simply would not exist.
It is his vision, drive and determination that has taken it to where it is today 10 years on from when it was first considered. It has been a long and challenging road, but one Garry has always stayed focused on. CLUB OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY RAPPORT, THE PEOPLE ACTIVATION AGENCY: ROCHDALE LACROSSE CLUB ROCHDALE Lacrosse Club is a very proactive club engaging local schools and the School Games Partnership, offering coaching to schools, supporting and developing new competitions, providing equipment and training for teachers and coaches in the local area. VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY: DAVE ROBINSON DAVE can be found at Bridge JFC up to 4 nights a week plus Saturdays and Sundays, and now he’s retired he’s there even more!
He is treasurer, kit co-ordinator for 27 teams, organizer of the annual presentation of trophies for 350 players and site manager for 10 pitches. Dave is the driver behind a lot of what the club offers. UNSUNG HERO OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY MANCHESTER UNITED FOUNDATION: BERYL BIRCH BERYL has been involved in the Rochdale Ladies Rounders League as Chair for over 20 years.
She has made a real difference by inspiring players of all ages and backgrounds to play to the best to their ability. Beryl gives up several nights a week to ensure that amongst other things all games run smoothly. SPORTS ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY TOTAL GYMNASTICS ACADEMIES: MATTHEW GEORGE MATTHEW has represented England at an international swimming meet in Italy where he competed against teams from Germany, Russia and the host nation.
He is in the England Talent programme which helps to assist and nurture talented athletes. DISABLED SPORTS ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY MILLS & REEVES: AZEEM AMIR AZEEM has been playing in the National Blind League for Merseyside Blind FC. He is an ambassador for ‘Playground to Podium’ supporting disabled sports in schools. He ran Manchester 10k in under 1 hour with a sighted guide and was chosen to play for Merseyside Blind FC at a national level withweekly training. CHANGING LIFESTYLE RECOGNITION AWARD SPONSORED BY WORKSMART VPA: TRACEY SZYMANEK TRACEY works as an inspirational instructor on the Activ8teme programme in the local community with adults with disabilities, arthritis and diabetes.
She inspires people to carry on exercising and walking with some entering 5k and 10k runs.