Corby’s sporting stars have been put in the limelight as Corby Borough Council announced the winners of the 2010 Sports Awards at a glittering awards ceremony full of laughter, cheers and even tears.
Around 300 people gathered to celebrate the effort and achievements of a record 54 nominees, ranging from lifelong volunteers, enthusiastic school children to international stars and medal winners such as gymnast, Daniel Keatings, and boxer, Simon Barclay.
Sporting stars, Councillors, local businesses, family and friends all gathered last night (Thursday 14th October 2010) at the Best Western Hotel to recognise and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Corby’s sports men, women and clubs. The 2010 Corby Sports Awards were sponsored by Land Securities, Galliford Try, GSS Architecture, NHS Northamptonshire, JJB Sports, Kier, Best Western, Northamptonshire Sport and Corby Oundle & Thrapston School Sports Partnership.
Along with the awards, guests were entertained with a first ever, toe tapping performance by Corby’s Reach Out tap class, a glimpse of Corby’s sporting success over the last year introduced by the Chief Executive of Corby Borough Council, Chris Mallender, and a question and answer session with local boxing champion, Simon Barlclay.
Another special part of the ceremony was the presentation of the Special Recognition Award to the family of Andi Garcia. Andi was awarded with last year’s Disabled Sportsperson of the Year for his fantastic achievements in sailing despite being registered blind, afraid of water and unable to swim. Sadly Andi passed away earlier this year and the award was presented to his family in front of an upstanding audience to recognise the sporting achievements he had made throughout his life.
The winners are:
Primary school recognition Award
Dylan Haggar from Weldon primary school is a keen swimmer, cyclist and athlete and plays football for Corby red devils and cricket for Weldon cricket club.
Logan Grieve from Kingswood primary school has represented the school in tennis and excelled in all areas of the PE curriculum.
Kirsten Wilson from Woodnewton - a learning community has represented Woodnewton at 9 different sports: netball, tag rugby, basketball, football, swimming and gymnastics, cross country, sports hall athletics and district athletics.
Andrew Muir from St Patricks primary school plays tag rugby, cross county, netball, sports hall athletics and cricket for the school.
Millie McAuley from St Brendon’s junior school was captain of the school netball team and excelled in gymnastic competitions and was spotted by phoenix basketball coaches and won medals in triple jump at the town athletics and gold medals in cross country.
Sports school of the year
3rd place Danesholme junior school - Took part in numerous sports but did exceptionally well in girls football.
2nd place St Patricks primary school – the school took part in all but a few sports and did exceptionally well in cross county yr 5 boys.
1st place Woodnewton - a learning community – They participated in over 95% of sport competitions and represented Corby in tag rugby and boys and girls football.
Young sports person of the year 2010
Zak Crawford, Archery –On 15th August he competed in two classes, both of which he won and broke the Senior World record as well as the junior world record, with a distance of 484.29 metres and in Class F Compound Flight Bow under 25kg he broke the world record with a distance of 493.39 metres.
Volunteer of the year
Jordon Joseph is devoted to Corby Business Academy’s cricket teams by coaching, securing sponsorship and organising fundraising events.
Sports leaders UK special recognition award
Logan Ritchie completed his Community Sports Leaders Award, then went on to complete his national pool lifeguard qualification and also level 2 gym instructors qualification.
Get Active 2010
Patrick Dick lost 13 stone in a year and now trains 6 days a week by doing Swimming, Gym, Pilates, Aqua Aerobics and Deep water workout classes.
Long time contribution to sport award
Corby Kingswood junior football club – the club was set up in 1970 and currently has over 150 young people registered from nursery to under 18’s. It is a Chartermark Standard Community club and a deaf friendly club, a disability football session is run. The club in its 40 years existence has supported, nurtured countless players and coaches.
Team of the year
Corby Indoor Tennis Centre under 14’s team - Jack Haworth (13), Lloyd Read (13) , Joe Tyler (11), Ameron Yuill (11) and Kyle Rae (12). Reached the finals of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Under 14 National Junior Club League Premier Division and also played in the Regional Midlands Division where Corby beat the LTA International Performance Centre from Loughborough (favourites to win the title), as well as the LTA High Performance Centre at Warwickshire University and the LTA High Performance Centre at Nottingham
Disabled sports achiever of the year
Thomas Brown – He has mild cerebral palsy but does not let that stop him and has always enjoyed football. He was spotted and selected to train and play with the national Scottish cerebral palsy football team. He is currently the youngest member of the squad.
Special recognition award
Andy Garcia – Sadly he passed away 9th July this year at the age of 37. 4 weeks before his death he achieved 2nd place in the world sailing championships help on Rutland water and his career is even more remarkable considering he is registered blind, not able to swim and had a fear of water.
Coach of the Year 2010
John Mulheron of Corby amateur boxing club – he has been involved in boxing for over 25 years and has built up Corby boxing club single handedly. He has been instrumental in boxer Simon Barclays gaining Midlands champion and ABA this year.
Local Sports person of the year
Simon Barclay of Corby amateur boxing club – First ever person in Corby to be crowned the ABA champion at Cruiserweight. He is only the 3rd person ever to gain an ABA title in Northamptonshire – the last one being 10 years ago.
