The cream of the borough’s athletes, sports teams, coaches and teachers were honoured last night at the fifth annual Welwyn Hatfield Sports Awards at Campus West, Welwyn Garden City. The awards recognised local sporting and coaching prowess across ten categories, for which nominations came from the public. New to the awards ceremony this year were the Olympic and Paralympics’ Value Awards, which were presented to Sports Awards recipients whom the judging panel felt had best embodied the Olympic ideals in their sporting endeavours. The sports awards winners, selected after much deliberation by the judging panel, were:

* School Team of the Year – Stanborough School Girls Tennis (sponsor: Welwyn Hatfield Community Housing Trust)

* School Teacher of the Year –David Lodge, Countess Anne Primary School (sponsor: Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council)

* School Pupil of the Year – David Griffin – Monks Walk School

(sponsor: Hatfield Town Council)

* Young Leader of the Year – Shelly Harris, Monks Walk School (sponsor: Mears)

* Sports Person of the Year –Tom Lewis, Golf (sponsor: Finesse Leisure)

* Club of the Year – Welwyn Garden City Amateur Boxing Club (sponsor: WHSPAA)

* Team of the Year – Hatfield Swim Club (sponsor: University of Hertfordshire)

* Coach of the Year – David Eames, Panshanger FC (sponsor: Hertfordshire Coaches Association)

* Contribution to Disability Sport – Elaine Titmus, Eagles Boccia (sponsor: Activate Forum)

* Service to Sport – Mike Banissy, Football (sponsor: Welwyn Hatfield Times).

Each winner received a certificate and trophy on the Hawthorne Theatre stage at Campus West.

The glittering evening had a real Olympic flavour to it, with former sprint medallist Mark Richardson as the special guest. He spoke to the assembled nominees before introducing the Olympic and Paralympics’ Value Awards. The winners of each Value award, were: Courage – Buster Martin, GB Climber

Determination – St Phillip Howard Netball Team

Equality – Stuart Bowman, Disability Badminton

Excellence – Sophie and Alannah Mabbs, Regional Triathlon Champions

Friendship – Becky Duff, Gymnastic and Dance

Inspiration – Sarah Miller, Sports Leader

Respect – Russell Kane, WGC Amateur Boxing Club.

There was also a special award given to David Bartlett on the night for his Outstanding Contribution to Community Sport. David was recognised as an active ambassador of sport across the borough for a number of years, especially within his role as Chairman of Welwyn Hatfield Sport and Physical Activity Alliance (WHSPAA).

The Queens Golden Jubilee Awards were also presented on the night to young people in the borough, by the Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield, Councillor Carl Storer.

Special performances featured throughout the night, by local singer songwriters Georgia Sheed and Samantha Grint, and the Hertfordshire Taiko drummers.

Councillor Darren Bennett, Welwyn Hatfield Sports Champion, praised “another fantastic showing of sporting talent,” adding: “It’s a privilege to be a part of this event. We have so many worthwhile nominees that the judging panel always has a difficult task. Congratulations to everybody: nominees and winners - and to everyone behind the scenes who help make this event happen.

“It was also excellent to have Mark Richardson here to show our young athletes how it is possible, with a lot of hard work and determination, to achieve the Olympic dream.”

The event was organised by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, in partnership with the Welwyn Hatfield Times and the Welwyn Hatfield Sports and Physical Activity Alliance (WHSPAA).