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