Final shortlists revealed for big awards night
The finalists of the 2018 Bath Sports Awards can now be revealed. Such was the calibre of this year’s nominees, there were some very tough decisions for the judging panel, which included Bath Rugby marketing director Vicki Smith, Somerset Live head of sport Daniel Evans, Platinum Motor Group marketing manager Claire Lewin, Assured Mobility director David Eatwell, Bath Chronicle editor Gavin Thompson and Reach Bristol and Bath sales director Craig Shepherd. The result was the loss of some very worthy finalists for each of the nine categories the awards are celebrating in and around the Bath area. The winners will be announced at The Assembly Rooms, Bath, on the night of Tuesday, November 20. Vicki Smith said: “It won’t surprise you that judging this year was incredi- bly tough. “The standard of entries gets higher and higher each year and all were deserving of the top spot. “I wish everyone the best of luck and look forward to the event next month, where we can celebrate these incredible achievements together.” The title sponsor for this year’s awards is Stadium for Bath – the body made up of Bath Rugby, Bath Rugby Foundation and Arena 1865, working together to deliver a new stadium at the Rec. Bath Ales is sponsoring the Outstanding Services award and Assured Mobility is getting behind the Disability Sports Performer category. Platinum Motor Group is sponsoring Professional Sports Personality of the Year. Esteemed broadcaster John Inverdale will once again be our host for the awards ceremony. Tickets are now on sale and available via www.bathsportsawards.co.uk. Here are all the finalists… Coach of the Year: Emma Isaac (Bath Cougars Netball), John Gould (Bath Rugby Ladies), Alex Johnson & Jenny Rutter (Nova Sports and Coaching), Rob Pickup (Bath Rugby Foundation) Community Club of the Year: Bath Roller Derby, Team Bath Synchro Club Disability Sports Performer of the Year: Dimitri Coutya (wheelchair fencing), Olivia Hyman (Disabled Strongman and powerlifting), Piers Gilliver (wheelchair fencing) Junior Team of the Year: Beechen Cliff Under-15s rugby team, Kingswood School 1st XV rugby team, Team OPJS – Oldfield Park Junior School Outstanding Services to Sport: Arnold Cooke (Minerva Bath Rowing Club), Brendan Rouse (St John’s Catholic Primary School), Mark Gunning (Bear Flat Cricket Club), Team Bath (University of Bath sport teams) Professional Sports Personality of the Year: Eilidh Doyle (athletics), James Guy (swimming), Kate French (modern pentathlon), Vicky Holland (triathlon) Senior Team of the Year: Bath Spartans touch rugby team, British Skeleton, Walcot Warriors mixed ability rugby team Young Sports Personality: Ethan Hall (athletics), Sarah Wilson (modern pentathlon), Tatum Keen (judo) Sports Personality of the Year: Eboni Beckford-chambers (Team Bath Netball), Ilaria Brandimarte (Team Bath Synchro Club), Kadeen Corbin (Team Bath Netball), Lizzy Yarnold (British Skeleton)