Sports Volunteers have been recognised and rewarded for all their hard work at this year's Cornwall Sports Awards Ceremony
This evening the 2012 Cornwall Sports Awards invited our many unsung sporting heroes to take centre stage, to receive well-deserved applaud for all their incredible volunteering efforts and helping to bring the Olympic legacy to life.
The annual event, held at The Headland Hotel in Newquay on Friday 9 November, welcomed over 250 of Cornwall's dedicated volunteer sports coaches, officials, clubs, organisations and young leaders. They were joined by special guests, including a number of Cornish Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and Tim Bunting, General Manager of ShelterBox UK & Ireland.
Organised by the Cornwall Sports Partnership, the event is now in its seventh year of celebrating and paying tribute to the many volunteers from across the duchy who dedicate their time and efforts to supporting our strong sports community and inspiring the next sporting generation.
This year 15 awards were presented and the worthy winners are as follows:
Children's Coach of the Year - Jim Hilton, Newquay Football Club
Participation Coach of the Year - Brian Smallworth, Cornish Sharks American Football
Young Coach of the Year U25 - Melissa Reid, Gyllyngvase Surf Life Saving Club
Performance & Development Coach of the Year - David White, Storm Netball Club
Official of the Year - Yvonne Turner, Mounts Bay Harriers
Adult Club of the Year - Gyllyngvase Surf Life Saving Club
Junior Club of the Year - Cornwall Youth Badminton
2012 Club of the Year (chosen by postal vote, in collaboration with Cornwall & Devon Media Group Newspapers) - Liskeard Girls Football Club
Sport Maker of the Year - Mo Salome
Active Workplace of the Year - TRAC Services
Sportivate Project of the Year - Sportivate Explores Rowing at Nankersey
Young Leader of the Year - Tyler Richards, Mounts Bay School
Community Volunteer of the Year - Revis Crowle, East Cornwall Harriers
Community Volunteer of the Year U25 - Tony Pellow, Penryn Rugby Club
Lifetime Services to Sport - Shane Sullivan, Charlestown Rowing Club
During the ceremony there was a special message played from Cornish gold medal winning Olympic Rower, Helen Glover, offering her thanks for all the support she has received. Also, Tim Bunting, General Manger of Shelterbox UK & Ireland which is based in Helston, accompanied Olympic rower, Annie Vernon from Wadebridge, in delivering an inspirational speech for the 250 members of the audience.
Annie Vernon comments: "I've been really excited about the 2012 Cornwall Sports Awards, being a very proud Cornishwoman, as it is a great opportunity to bring together and celebrate all the athletes, coaches and volunteers that contribute to the sporting life in this county.
"I've now retired from international rowing after 8 years at the coal face, and I'm delighted to have had the opportunity to give something back to all those in the county who have supported me over the years."
Tim Bunting enthuses: "I'm absolutely delighted to have been a part of the 2012 Cornwall Sports Awards. From our board of Trustees, to our fantastic fundraisers, right through to those currently delivering aid in Senegal, Niger and Iraq, volunteers are the lifeblood of ShelterBox. Volunteers have therefore been responsible for saving hundreds of thousands of lives across the world".
Cornwall Sports Awards organiser, Natasha Howard of the Cornwall Sports Partnership, says: "The Cornwall Sports Awards has grown every year since it started in 2006 and is now a key date in the Cornish sports calendar. We've designed this year's event to build on the success of every other year and are delighted to have the opportunity to bring together some of our Olympians and Paralympians. During the year of our home Olympics it is incredibly fitting for our elite sports personalities to attend the event and formally pay tribute to the grassroots volunteers who have played a considerable part in their sporting journey.
"Volunteers are the backbone of sport and the true stars of the Cornwall Sports Awards. We are thrilled to celebrate their great achievements as part of this extraordinary year of sport and encourage them to continue their good work, creating a legacy of increased participation and enjoyment of sport."
A variety of Cornish companies and organisations support the event, including: Truro College, Sport England, Miller Countrywide, Tony Pryce Sports, Cornwall & Devon Media, Sports Leaders UK, Pyramid Production Services and NHS Health Promotion Service.
To see photographs and videos of the winners and event, visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/cornwallsportspartnership
