Wrexham Sports Awards Winners Announced

Mike Hayes, winner of Arnold Griffiths Service to Sport award, with Mayor and Mayoress and Sheila Griffiths

Wrexham’s sporting community gathered to celebrate success in the local area at the Wrexham County Borough Sports Awards last night.

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 Council’s Sport Development team with presentations from the Mayor and Mayoress of Wrexham, Jane Foulkes Senior Sport Wales Officer and Councillor David Bithell, MBE.

The event, now in its eighth year, has broken the record for the most nominations ever received and aims to recognise and reward those who make an outstanding contribution to sport in the area.

Cllr Bob Dutton OBE Lead Member for Communities and Performance said: “The strength of this year’s categories alone reflects the hard work and determination from all to put Wrexham on the sporting excellence map.”

The categories and their winners are as follows:

• Junior Sports Personality of the Year – Matthew Williams – Wrexham Amateur Athletics Club
• Senior Sports Personality of the Year – Owen Edwards – Ice Skating
• Disability Sports Personality of the Year – Jason Coles – Wrexham Special Olympics
• Junior Volunteer of the Year – (Jointly awarded to) Terri Richie and Daniel Darlington – Gold Young Ambassadors at Ysgol Bryn Alyn
• Senior Volunteer of the Year – Deborah Williams – Rhosnesni Netball Club
• Primary School Achievement Award – Ysgol Deiniol
• Secondary School Achievement Award – St Christopher’s School
• Sportsmanship Award – Allen Jones – Rugby League
• Coach of the Year – Paul Blackwell – Abbey Road Acrobatic & Tumbling Club
• Club of the Year – Wrexham Amateur Athletics Club
• Team of the Year – Abbey Road Acrobatic & Tumbling Club
• Unsung Hero – Geoff Lloyd – Brymbo Cricket Club
• Arnold Griffiths Service to Sport Award – Mike Hayes – Celtic Warriors & Wheelchair Basketball Development

Mike Hayes who received the Arnold Griffiths Service to Sport Award for his services to wheelchair basketball across North Wales said: “I am delighted to receive this prestigious award for services to sport in North Wales.

“I’ve been playing wheelchair basketball since 2006 with the Celtic Warriors and I’m passionate about developing local opportunities for the younger generation across North Wales so they don’t have to travel far in order to be active.

“Wrexham Sports Awards is a great occasion and I’ve been amazed by the talent that is on our doorstep. The team and I will use this award to further develop the profile of wheelchair basketball in Wrexham and hopefully recruit some new members.”

The evening’s entertainment included showcases from Matrix Taekwondo Club, Wrexham Young Sports Ambassadors and a routine from Ysgol’s Urban Central Dance Troop.

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: “The event has received an overwhelming response from the local sporting community of Wrexham as well as great assistance from a range of wide range sponsors. We look forward to building on the success of the event in the future and to celebrating county winners who go on to gain future recognition at a regional and national level. With the Olympics this year, it is a brilliant time to be involved in sport in Wrexham.”

A raffle was also held and raised over £330 to be shared between the Mayor’s charity, Nightingale House and Sport Relief.