Wrexham Celebrates A Great Year For Local Sport (Picture Special!)

Wrexham’s sporting community gathered together tonight to celebrate sporting success in the local area at the Wrexham County Borough Sports Awards. Over 300 players, coaches, volunteers and dignitaries attended the prestigious event which was held at Brymbo Sports and Social Complex.

The event was hosted by Chris Hughes, from Wrexham Sport Development with presentations from the Mayor and Mayoress of Wrexham, John Morgan Executive Director of Disability Sport Wales and Deputy Mayor Cllr ID Bithell MBE. The event now in its ninth year has broken the record for the most nominations received ever from the sporting community and aims to recognise and reward those who make an outstanding contribution to sport in the area.

Ken Danskin, Wrexham Council Leisure Officer presents the Primary School of the Year Award to James Jones of Victoria CP School.

Cllr Neil Rogers Leader of Wrexham Council said “The strength of this year’s winners can only serve to bolster Wrexham’s position as the sporting capital of North Wales. The annual Wrexham Sports Awards provide us with an opportunity to congratulate Wrexham’s top performers while also recognising the outstanding network of the coaches and volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes, all in the name of community sport.’

The full categories and their winners are as follows:

• Junior Sports Personality of the Year – Aled Goddard (Sailing)
• Senior Sports Personality of the Year – Hannah Thomas (Athletics)
• Disability Sports Personality of the Year – Laura Watson (Cricket, Athletics & Badminton)
• Junior Volunteer of the Year – (Jointly awarded to) David Higgins & Dylan Gallanders (Young Gold Sports Ambassadors)
• Senior Volunteer of the Year – Peter Jones (Swimming)
• Primary School Contribution to Sport Award – Victoria CP School
• Secondary School Achievement Award – Maelor School, Penley
• Sportsmanship Award – Jacqui Walker (Rugby League, Union & Gymnastics)
• Coach of the Year – Ian Davies (Karate)
• Club of the Year – Brickfield Rangers Football Club
• Team of the Year – Wrexham Boys Relay Squad (Wrexham Swimming Club)
• Unsung Hero – Laura Poole (Athletics)
• Arnold Griffiths Service to Sport Award – Tim Flack (Cricket)

Guest speaker John Morgan, Executive Director at Disability Sport Wales received great applause as he took to the stage to congratulate Wrexham on their inclusive attitude to sport and reflected upon a successful Olympic year with local medals from Tom James, Chris Bartley and Vicky Thornley.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Wrexham Cllr Ian Robarts and Mrs Hilary Roberts with Tom Hughes-Lloyd, a finalist in Sky TV’s “Got to Dance” who performed at the awards.

Evening entertainment included showcases from the Rugby League World Cup 2013 which comes to Wrexham later this year, Wrexham Boxing Club and a routine from Sky 1’s Got to Dance finalist Tom Hughes-Lloyd.

The Sports Awards serve to highlight the outstanding work and athletic achievement of local people and aim to enable everyone to share in congratulating athletes, coaches and volunteers who have accomplished sporting excellence in Wrexham.

Leisure & Activity Officer Ken Danskin said “Wrexham Sports Awards is now well established on the local sporting community calendar. We continue to be encouraged by the new sports coming through and the strength of the record number of nominations we have received this year.”

“Judging by the calibre of tonight’s winners we will have a lot to celebrate this year with local athletes and teams receiving recognition at a regional and national level”

The raffle held on the night raised the Mayor’s charity Nightingale House, as well as the Aim High and JDRF charities.

The evening and results were also live tweeted via the Wrexham Council twitter account viewable here.

Further Pictures Of Winners:

Pictured is Simon Ellis Head teacher Maelor school Penley receiving the Secondry school of the year award from Lyndsey Evans of Lakeside Coaches.

Pictured is Aled Goddard receiving the Junior sports personality of the year award from Mac Kenderick of Brymbo sports club.

Pictured is Jacqui Walker of Wrexham Bradley raiders receiving the sportmanship award from Gareth Lloyd from Brymbo sports and social complex.

Pictured is Millennium volunteers with their certificates from Left Lucy Chalk, Andrew Myres and Robert Ward.

John Nutthall of Brickfield Rangers recieves the Club of the Year Award from Cllr David Bithell MBE

Pictured is Wrexham Boys Relay squad (swimming) winners of the team of the year award.

Pictured is the Mayor and Mayoress of Wrexham Cllr Ian Roberts and Hilary Roberts with Tim Flack of Chirk Cricket club , winner of the Arnold Griffiths service to sport award, presented by Mrs Sheila Griffiths.