Prized memories of a big sporting night
THE talent and commitment of individuals and organisations who champion sport and physical activity have been recognised at a County Durham awards ceremony.
The annual Active Durham Sport and Physical Activity Awards honoured individuals, coaches, volunteers, clubs and schools whose exceptional work helps people of all ages and abilities access sport and physical activity.
The awards ceremony, at the Gala Theatre in Durham, saw the winners of 13 categories in four local-area events come together to be recognised and to celebrate their outstanding achievements.
Former Olympic gymnast Kristian Thomas was guest speaker, presenting winners with their awards and giving an inspirational speech to more than 300 guests. Independent chairwoman of the Active Durham partnership, Annie Dolphin OBE, said: “We received 229 nominations for the local awards, all of a very high standard and including really inspirational people.
“Our judges have had very difficult decisions to make picking both the local winners and then deciding which of those were most deserving of the county awards.” Among those recognised was Paul Boyle, head coach of Derwent Valley Trail Runners, who was named Coach of the Year.
His sessions are regularly attended by more than 60 children each week aged between four and 16, many of whom have gone on to represent the club in the North Eastern CrossCountry Championships.
Sports Club of the Year was the Durham-based Laszlo’s Fencing
Club.
It runs junior, senior and wheelchair sessions and 25 volunteers from the club helped with the Junior and Cadet Commonwealth Championships, a major week-long event in Newcastle last July featuring fencers from all over the world.
Consett Steelers Junior Netball Club was voted Junior Sports Club of the Year.
Durham fencer Duncan Rowlands was honoured for Sports Performance of the Year.
Rowlands was a member of the GB team which secured the bronze medal at the World Team Championship.
In 2018 he won gold in the 50-59 category at the British Veterans National Championship, ranked No. 1 in GB.
He also captained the GB team to seventh place at the European Team Championship, won silver at the French Veteran Team National Championships and was selected to represent England at the Veteran Commonwealth Championships in both individual and team events.
Disability swimmer Ellen Stephenson won the Young Sports Performance of the Year accolade.
An S14 classification swimmer with City of Newcastle Swim Team, teenager Stephenson (pictured below) competes in para-swimming events as well as national and international Down Syndrome swimming competitions.
In October of last year she gained her first GB cap at the Downs Syndrome Swimming Association European Championships – gaining seven golds and one silver medal.
■ DON’T miss a special two-page feature in Grassroots Sport later this month on all the winners of this year’s Sport Newcastle Rising Stars of Sport Awards.