The stars of sport in the west of the county were honoured at the inaugural West Suffolk Sports Awards in St Edmundsbury Cathedral, with Sally Gunnell OBE as the guest speaker.
There were 13 categories including Sports Personality of the Year, Young Sports Personality of the Year, Club of the Year and Lifetime Achievement plus two public vote awards – the People’s Champion and People’s Youth Champion.
Ian Parker took the title of Sports Personality of the Year for his role as a Team UK Tchoukball player and coach.
Wyn Jones, PE co-ordinator at Westley Middle School, was given the Lifetime Achievement Award for over 30 years dedication to the development of all sport and all children within his school and across Suffolk.
Warren Smyth, chief executive of organisers Abbeycroft Leisure said: “It was a superb evening in a stunning venue and our pleasure to host the first joint awards for West Suffolk.
“The sporting talent we have in this area as well as the many people behind the scenes deserve an evening of celebration such as this.”
Greene King regional sales manager, James Ramm, said: “We were proud to sponsor the West Suffolk Sports Awards this year and would like to congratulate all the winners.
“It is important to recognise sporting achievements, and as a local business, it’s great to see the successes in our own community”.
Cllr Jo Rayner, St Edmundsbury Borough Council Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture added: “Many activities in the community could not continue without volunteers and this underpins the council’s priority to support our communities in all they wish to achieve.
“I congratulate all those we recognised – and all those who may be unrecognised, so far – for keeping the spirit of sport strong.”
Roll of honour
Most Active Workplace - Sanofi
School of the Year - Bury St Edmunds County Upper
Unsung Hero - Ann Williamson
Community Volunteer of the Year - Allan Loveday
Triumph Over Adversity - David Swales
Lifetime Achievement - Wyn Jones
Individual Performance or Achievement of the Year - Anna Street
Coach of the Year - Paul Hope
People’s Champion - David Swales
People’s Youth Champion - Phoebe Hastings
Club of the Year - Jetts Netball Club
Young Sports Personality of the Year - Esther Little
Sports Personality of the Year - Ian Parker
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