EUROPLAS Torbay Sports Personality Awards 2010

Nominations Now Being Received!

Do you know someone in the sporting field who has achieved great success in the last year?

If you do, you could recognise their talent and efforts by nominating them for one the EUROPLAS Torbay Sports Personality Awards 2010.

Nomination forms are now available from one of the following websites: www.torbaysport.com or www.torbay.gov.uk. Alternatively you can nominate online at www.torbaysport.com.

These annual awards recognise and reward sports people from across Torbay for their hard work, dedication and sporting accolades. The Awards also include categories for coaches and volunteers, without whose commitment and dedication many sports people could not take part in physical activity and opportunities for sport may not exist.

The Awards are due to take place at the Riviera International Conference Centre on Friday 14^th May 2010 and will once again be hosted by Palm FM’s, John Hogarth.

Last year’s event was a huge success with 17 individuals, 5 sports teams and 2 community clubs all receiving Sports Awards presented by Joe Glanfield, Beijing Olympics Silver Medallist in Sailing. Over 250 people attended the high profile Awards Ceremony at the International Riviera Conference Centre.

A successful Sports Auction also took place at last year’s event, raising nearly £800. Half of this money will go towards our local Rowcroft Charity whilst the other half will go back into sport in Torbay, providing new opportunities for physical activity and used to support clubs going through radical development.

The EUROPLAS Torbay Sports Personality Awards 2010 have been proudly sponsored by EUROPLAS, the Herald Express, Excell Photography, Torbay Sport Partnership, Pyramid Torbay Photography, the Riviera International Conference Centre and ESW.

Last year’s prize winners included:

Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Richard Jansen (Bikinmotion Cycling Club)

Disabled Sportsperson of the Year: Matthew Vandenbrauck (Paignton Rugby Football Club)

Senior Sportsperson of the Year: Justin Yau (Torquay Cricket Club)

Junior Team of the Year: Paignton Community and Sports College U15/U16 Basketball Team

Devon Youth Games Team of the Year: Girls Cricket

Senior Team of the Year: Bikinmotion Senior Cycling Team

Junior Volunteer of the Year: Joe Baggott (Paignton Community and Sports College)

Coach of the Year: Glenys Haywood (Torbay Tornadoes Netball Club)

Senior Volunteer of the Year: Danny Irvine (Brixham Rugby Football Club)

Torbay Community Club of the Year: Brixham Swimming Club

Overall EUROPLAS Torbay Sports Personality of the Year: Glenys Haywood (Torbay Tornadoes Netball Club)

EUROPLAS Torbay Sports Personality Awards 2009

Overall winner was netball coach Glenys Haywood who was also named Coach of the Year. Glenys has been involved in netball for over 40 years and runs five teams across Torbay and Teignbridge. She also works with the Devon Youth Games teams and is a School Sport Coach, coaching at schools across Torbay. Other coaches recognised were Andy Fairbairn from the Torbay Sport Partnership and Roger Downing from Torquay Leander Swimming Club.

The Junior Sportsperson of the Year Award went to cyclist Richard Jansen, who was described as a great example to other youngsters for his encouragement and support of others. He also defended his Torbay Schools title and has triumphed in the South West of England Championships. Second and third place awards went to local gymnast Jay Thompson and Paignton Community and Sports College’s basketballer Jordan Grindrod.

Senior Sportsperson of the Year was cricketer Justin Yau who became the Devon Premier League’s youngest skipper when he stepped forward in a difficult period for Torquay Cricket Club last year, helping to keep the club in the county’s top division. Alex Paske from Torquay Boys Grammar School and Lorna Wright from South Devon School of Taekwon-Do were also rewarded.

The Disabled Sportsperson Award went to Matthew Vandenbrouck of Paignton Rugby Football Club. He has developed into an inspirational leader since joining the club in 2004 and he is a key member of the England Deaf Squad. The second place award went to Daniel Cooper from Torbay Athletic Club.

The Junior Team of the Year Award went to Paignton Community and Sports College U15/U16 Basketball Sqaud who were undefeated champions of the South Devon League and progressed to National Finals after winning the South West Regional Title. In a close second place were Tornado Kittens Netball Team.

The Devon Youth Games Team of the Year were Torbay’s gold-medal winning girls’ cricket squad which included Tirion Swart, Myfanwy Swart, Yasmin Li, Abigail Harvey, Francesca Harvey, Hollie Newbold, Hannah Harvey-Trott, Beth Bauer, Jess Miller and Sam Morris.

The Senior Team of the Year went to Bikinmotion Senior Cycling Team for their outstanding achievements throughout the 2008 season when they also retained the South West Road Race Team title. Torquay Cricket Club Men’s First Team picked up the Second Place Award.

Junior Volunteer of the Year winner was Joe Baggott, a leader at Paignton Community and Sports College ‘Select Club’ offering students who have weight or lifestyle issues the chance to take part in physical activity. Joe is also the Chair of the Student Sports Council. Other awards went to Jessica Crawford from Paignton Community and Sports College and South Devon School of Gymnastics and Glen Willis from Oddicombe Swimming Club.

Brixham Rugby stalwart Danny Irvine was named Senior Volunteer of the Year. He has been involved with the club since the 1960s, is central to all that goes on at the club and is currently president. Trish Walker from Paignton Sailing Club and cricketer Damon Calland from Barton Cricket Club also picked up Awards.

The Development Community Club of the Year Award went to Brixham Swimming Club where more than 100 young swimmers are currently being taught by club volunteers. A recent fundraising campaign raised over £100,000 which was used to completely refurbish their club. In second place were Brixham Rugby Football Club.

DEVON SPORTS AWARDS 2008/2009

The contribution from outstanding sports people across Devon was acknowledged at the prestigious Devon Sports Awards, held at the Tiverton Hotel in May 2009.

Club chair for Exeter Canoe Club, Dennis Walls scooped the coveted Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award in addition to Volunteer Services to Sport in the ceremony dedicated to sports coaches, officials and volunteers.

Dennis has been the club chair for the last 10 years in addition to Race Director of Exe Descent, Club Race Organiser, SW Regional Tours Organiser, Regional Secretary for the SW British Canoe Union and member of Exeter City Sports Council.

Other winners included:

Senior Female Coach: Denise Austin

Young Female Coach: Lauren Bowden

Coach of Disabled Performers: Robin Drew

Newly Qualified Coach: Karen Dent

Services to Sport n Education: Kevin Hack

Services to Sport as an Official: Steve Hobbs

Senior Male Coach: Graham Skinner

Young Male Coach: James Taylor

Services to Sport as a Mentor/Tutor: Sharon Terry

Services to Sport as a Volunteer: Dennis Walls

Outstanding Contribution to Sport in Devon: Dennis Walls

The annual Devon Sports Awards, co-ordinated by Active Devon attracted over 100 nominations of which 28 finalists were congratulated for their achievements in sport during 2008.

Mary Tyler, Westcountry TV presenter and Active Devon Board Member, hosted a very successful evening paying tribute to the hundreds of individuals ‘behind the scenes’ around the county who devote their time to sports clubs and organisations. The trophies and certificates were presented by Andrei Burton, who attended despite a recent injury that has prevented him for competing. Andrei, who lives locally in Exeter, is a top master rider in the sport of Trail Biking and represents Great Britain in the World Cup travelling far and wide for the love of his sport. Andrei s also a champion for Cycle Exeter and promotes cycling for Devon County Council at a wide variety of shows and local initiatives.

Torbay Finalists for the Devon Sports Awards 2008 included:

Glenys Haywood

Becky Lees

Steve Duggan