Sports Awards celebrate local talent

The much-anticipated event, held on 15 November 2018 at Leicester Grammar School, was organised by the Sport and Activity Alliance made up of Harborough District Council, sports coaches, volunteers, the local school sport partnership and Leicestershire and Rutland Sport.

Following on from the successful re-launch of the Harborough District Sports Awards last year, this year’s event proved a huge success – with over 200 people attending.

As well as celebrating sporting success, the awards also recognise the importance of physical activity and the enormous amount of time that volunteers and coaches give up to help our district get active every day, no matter the weather.

Winners, in each category, on the night (pictured) were:

• Maisie Elliott  (swimming) – Junior sportswoman
• Tom Moorhouse (hockey)  – Junior sportsman
• Cecil Hart – Twilight Achiever
• Laura and Steve Underwood (cricket) – Unsung Hero
• Ethan Whitehorn (football) – Physical Activity Star
• Borough Alliance Football Club – Club of the Year
• Susan Henderson (hockey) – Sportsperson of the Year
• Market Harborough Lawn Tennis Club – Community Impact Award
• Kibworth School Year 11 Football Team – Team of the Year

The awards were handed out by successful athletes Andrew Stamp and Laura Sugar.

Additional recognition was given to Andrew on the night when he was presented with a Harborough Sporting Hero award for all of his ambassador work as a Team GB and Go Gold podium level athlete as well as in recognition of his silver medal at the Youth Olympics in trampolining this year.

As well as the awards, the event also featured a performance by local dance company, drummondance from Fleckney.

Councillor Janette Ackerley, the Council’s portfolio holder for Wellbeing and Localities, said: “We’re very proud to support this fantastic event which celebrates local talent and the potential stars of the future – as well as the volunteers and coaches who make it all possible. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to the sponsors and those who organised the evening.”

Nicky Collett, Chair of Active Harborough District said: “It has been a great showcase of all of the amazing  clubs, teams and individuals who commit their time and effort day in and day out to achieve and support others. We had a wealth of great nominations for the awards this year, with such high quality, not everyone made it through the shortlisting process. We would like to thank each person that took the time to nominate and extend a further thanks to everyone across the District that volunteers to provide sport and physical activity opportunities – you are appreciated.”

Get involved in sport and activities in your area by going to www.harboroughsport.org.uk