The prestigious Sport Pembrokeshire Awards 2016 took place last night (friday), showcasing a wide range of sporting excellence across Pembrokeshire.
The glittering ceremony at Folly Farm – now in its 10th year – was attended by more than 600 guests, and hosted by sport journalist Bill Carne and Cllr Huw George, Pembrokeshire County Council cabinet member.
The awards were organised by Sport Pembrokeshire , and sponsored by Pembrokeshire County Council together with the Western Telegraph, Valero, Radio Pembrokeshire and Folly Farm.
Cllr Elwyn Morse, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure, said the evening had once again been a triumph.
“The Sport Pembrokeshire Awards are a true celebration of sport in the county at every level – from the all-important grassroots to those who achieve international success,” he said.
The winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award 2016 was announced as Welsh rugby stalwart Geraint John, who was presented with his award by Geoff Williams, Head of Sport at BBC Wales.
Originally from Haverfordwest and a former pupil of Sir Thomas Picton School, Geraint has enjoyed a global rugby career and is a key member of the team shaping the future of Welsh rugby today.
As a youngster, he played for the county schools team and senior rugby for clubs including Llanelli, Cardiff and Bridgend.
He was the most capped “B” international ever before going on to a coaching career with Llanelli, Cardiff Blues and the Welsh national side.
A former High Performance Manager of Canada, and Australian Sevens coach at The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Geraint was appointed to the Executive Board of the WRU in January as its Head of Rugby Performance.
Geoff Williams said: “Geraint’s late father, Uri – a Whitland hooker – would have stood ten foot tall this evening, and his mum, Perlys and the rest of his family are justifiably proud of him.
“Despite his achievements, he remains modesty personified.”
Upon receiving the award, John spoke of his pride at his Pembrokeshire roots, and congratulated everyone who had been winners or finalists on the night.
He also joked that he hoped to again be surrounded by happy and smiling people 24 hours later, after the Wales v South Africa game finished in Cardiff.
Two other key award-winners this year were Richard Parker and Dean Haines – who were presented with the Chairman’s Special Achievement Award 2016 by Cllr Tony Brinsden, Chairman of the Council.
Richard Parker from Milford Haven suffered two strokes and a brain haemorrhage, and as part of his rehabilitation he was referred to the Pembrokeshire Disabled Bowlers Club.
Since then, as a result of hard work and determination on Richard’s part, his mobility has improved immensely along with his ability to play bowls.
In fact, his bowls improved so much that he was part of a team which, in September, came away with the Cardiff Rotary Triples competition runners-up award.
Richard’s co-winner, Dean Haines from Kilgetty, was lacking in confidence when he started volunteering at the Pembrokeshire Hurricanes Wheelchair Basketball Club.
However as time went on, his confidence grew and he developed a great rapport with the participants – so much so, that he was encouraged to apply for and gain his first job in the care sector. He still volunteers on a regular basis with the club.
A new category this year was the Club of the Year Award which was won by the Pembrokeshire Harriers.
The Club was congratulated on a fantastic season which has seen them achieve junior, senior, team and individual success on the Welsh and UK stage.
They were presented with their award by Steve Davis, Service Manager of Pembrokeshire Youth.
The 10th anniversary of the Awards were also marked by a special return of three former award-winners, cricket player Andrew Salter, footballer Angharad James and wheelchair basketball player Harry Thomas, who also specialises in sprint racing. The three sporting stars were interviewed by Bill Carne and congratulated on their numerous achievements over the years.
The complete list of award-winners and finalists are as follows:
WINNERS AND FINALISTS
Coach of the Year
Peter Crook (Squash) WINNER
Nigel Delaney (Football) FINALIST
Rhys Thomas (Triathlon) FINALIST
Female Sporting Achievement
Jasmine Joyce (Rugby 7’s) WINNER
Alice Bevan (Autograss) FINALIST
Anita Madan (Weightlifting) FINALIST
Male Sporting Achievement
Mickey McDonagh (Boxing) WINNER
Nick Dyer (Squash) FINALIST
Aaron Hosking (Powerlifting) FINALIST
Boys (U16) Sporting Achievement
James Tomlinson (Athletics) WINNER
Gethin Davies (Rugby) FINALIST
Oliver Wheeler (Hockey) FINALIST
Girls (U16) Sporting Achievement
Lucy Davies (Athletics) WINNER
Louisa Twigg (Swimming) FINALIST
Abbie Williams (Triathlon) FINALIST
Disability Sport Award
Jonathan Hubbard (Bowls) WINNER
Sian Jones (Boccia) FINALIST
Raymond Lillycrop (Bowls) FINALIST
Junior (U16) Disability Sport Award
Lily Rice (Swimming) WINNER
Leon Davies (Gymnastics) FINALIST
Antony Triebel (Gymnastics) FINALIST
Unsung Hero
Richard Scriven (Rugby) WINNER
Shay Buckley (Rugby, Football, Athletics) FINALIST
Nick Evans (Cricket) FINALIST
Club Organiser of the Year
Jonny Sutton (Football) WINNER
Yvette Bevan (Gymnastics) FINALIST
Ian Eynon (Football) FINALIST
Team Achievement of the Year
Goodwick United AFC WINNER
Pembrokeshire Youth Rugby U19’s FINALIST
Sam and Daisy Coleman FINALIST
Junior (U16) Team Achievement of the Year
Clwb Rygbi Crymych U16’s WINNER
Greenhill School U14’s Cricket Team FINALIST
Lamphey School Mixed Relay Swimming Team FINALIST
Junior Contribution to School Sport award
Ryan Foot (Ysgol Bro Gwaun) WINNER
Jamie Meek and Albert Ugwdike (Tasker Milward) FINALIST
Taku Padiwa (Greenhill School) FINALIST
Contribution to School Sport award
Rachel Thomas (Ysgol Dewi Sant) WINNER
Matthew Harries (Fenton Primary School) FINALIST
Justin Head (Weightlifting) FINALIST
Club of the Year
Pembrokeshire Harriers WINNER
Meads Squash Club FINALIST
Strength Academy Wales (SAW) FINALIST
Lifetime Achievement Award
Geraint John WINNER
Chairman’s Special Achievement Award
Richard Parker WINNER
Dean Haines WINNER
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here