The 11th annual Preston Guild Hall Sports Awards once again showcased some of the city’s finest coaches, volunteers and athletes from clubs across Preston.
The awards recognise the commitment and dedication to sport and this year the judging panel felt short listing for the awards was a particularly difficult task with the panel having to award joint winners in a couple of categories.
Achievement performance of the year junior female Grace Dickinson with Kevin Carey
Kathryn Greenslade (Preston Swimming Club) and Ross Cullen (Preston Priates BMX club) were two athletes the panel just could not split.
Both individuals excelledin their own sports, demonstrating exceptional performances at the highest level.
The evening was opened with an outstanding performance from City of Preston Gymnastics Club, which gave a real taster of the quality of the athletes Preston has to offer.
The evening was hosted by Granada Tonight’s Paul Crone, with guest speaker Craig Heap, Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning gymnast, giving an energetic and inspirational speech.
Club of theYear winning representatives Angela Robson, Craig Robinson (Surridge Sport) and Collin Robson
The finale of the evening saw a very popular winner Tony Rigby, from Preston Table Tennis Association, being awarded the lifetime achievement award for his 50-plus years of involvement in the development of the sport across the city.
Roll of honour
Coach of the year (aged 16 years plus) Sponsor – BMW Bowker
Winner: Peter Doyle (Cadley Football Club)
Peter Mason, Mayor of Preston Cllr Margret McManus, Paul Crone and special guest speaker Craig Heap
Club of the year/Sponsor – Surridge Sport
Winner: Preston City Trampoline Club
Volunteer of the year (Adult – aged 25 years plus) Sponsor – Jigsaw Training
Joint Winners: Alison Torrance (Various Cycling projects) and Kath Mason (Sir Tom Finny Soccer Centre and others)
Longridge High were Sedcondary School of the Year
Volunteer of the year (aged up to 24 years) Sponsor – Frank Whittle Partnership Architecture
Winner: Sohan Rathod (Preston Swimming Club)
Young Achiever/Sponsor - Millers Taxis (in memory of Sam McCulloch)
Joint Winners Kathryn Greenslade (Preston Swimming Club) and Ross Cullen (Preston Priates BMX Club)
Achievement/Performance of the year (male junior) Sponsor – Slater and Gordon Lawyers
Winner: Kyo Tanner
Volunteer of the Year (up to 24 years) Sohan Ratho (right) with Paul Henderson (Frank Whittle Partnership)
Achievement/Performance of the year (female junior) Sponsor – McDade Roberts
Winner: Grace Dickinson
Achievement/Performance of the year (senior) Sponsor – Shout Network
Winner: Michael Aspinall (City of Preston Gymnastics Club – Veterans team)
Service to Disability Sport/Sponsor – Preston’s College
Winner: Barry Walsh (Preston and District Blind Bowling Club)
Team performance of the year (junior team)/Sponsor – Evolve Document Solutions
Winner: Preston North End Womens Junior FC Under-14s
Team performance of the year (senior team) Sponsor – Skiddle.com
Winner: Preston Hockey Club
School of the year (primary) Sponsor – GB Energy
Winner: Queens Drive Primary School
School of the year (secondary) Sponsor – Wallwork, Nelson & Johnson
Winner: Longridge High School
Community Organisation of the year/Sponsor – Ambulant Physiotherapy Ltd
Winner: Sir Tom Finny Soccer Centre and Football Club
Higher/Further education team of the year/Sponsor – Lancashire County Council
Winner: Preston’s College PAN Disability Football team
Special recognition and service to sport/Sponsor – University of Central Lancashire
Joint Winners: Michael Aspinall and Fayyaz Ahmed
Lifetime achievement (doing sport for 20 years plus)/Sponsor – John Turner Construction Group
Winner: Tony Rigby (Preston Table Tennis Association)