Blaenau Gwent Celebrates Local Sporting Talent
Local Sporting talent from across Blaenau Gwent gathered at Abertillery Sports Centre on Friday 19 January to celebrate the eleventh Blaenau Gwent Sports Personality Awards.
BBC Wales presenter Jason Mohammad was the key note speaker at this year’s event, which celebrated the achievements of local sportsmen and women from across the County Borough.
This year’s overall Sports Personality of the Year Award (2005 – 06) went to Richard Carpenter for his contribution to kickboxing. Richard not only represents Blaenau Gwent in kickboxing, but represented Wales in Athens at the World Championships, in the individual and team categories. Richard also runs his own kickboxing school and is passing on his skills to adults and children. Richard also took home the Adult Sports Personality of the Year Award.
The Runners up for the overall award included Natalie Gingell from Abertillery Freefallers and Sarah Gratton from the Heads of the Valley Sports Club.
Sarah Gratton from Tredegar was also the winner of the Special Achievement Award for Disability Sport. Sarah is a member of the Gwent Valleys Sports Club and has participated in numerous local, national and international competitions over the past twelve months and has represented team Wales in the Special Olympics.
The Young Sports Personality of the Year Award (Female) went to Natalie Gingell for Abertillery Freefallers Trampolining and the Young Sports Personality of the Year Award (Male) went to 14 year old, Aron Williams for his success in Kickboxing.
The Special Achievement Volunteer award was a new addition to the event, and was won by Sandy Ireson, coach of the Pen-y-Cwm School Judo Club. The club nominated Sandy in recognition of her outstanding commitment to coaching the team for the last ten years.
Tredegar Under 15 Cricketers were awarded the Young Team of the Year for 2005 -2006. They have had a fantastic season with a wealth of success including being crowned winners of the U15 League Division one, losing only one game, which resulted in promotion to the premier division.
The Award for Adult Team of the Year went to Blaina Bowls Team, who had an unbeaten record this season. They were League One winners of the Monmouthshire Bowls Association, winners of the Second League of the Gwent Bowling League and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Bowls Cup Winners.
Lisa Edwards from Abertillery Freefallers Trampoline Club won the Coach of the Year Award, after coming runner-up in this category for the last few years.
Gerald Watkins was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for his commitment to table tennis, which has seen 45 years involvement with the development of table tennis as a player, coach and administrator.
There was also a special presentation made to Lee Aherne, who represents Wales in long-distance running. Jason Mohammad presented Lee with the first Life Performance Card in Blaenau Gwent, which is a special sports card that allows local sports men and women to access the Blaenau Gwent’s Sports Centre facilities for free to develop their sporting talent. Local sporting stars, who participate in a sport as an individual or a team member and represent their country, can apply for the Life Performance Card. For further information, please contact 01495 355311.
Councillor Steve Thomas, Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing, Healthy Living, said: “The Sports Personality Awards is a wonderful event that celebrates both the dedication and achievements of people involved sport in Blaenau Gwent, whether as a participant, coach or administrator. It is important that their support is recognised, as they play a vital role in the development of sport locally. I would like to congratulate everyone who won an award on the night and thank them all for their continued and valued contribution to sport in Blaenau Gwent.”
The overall winners on the evening were:
Sports Personality of the Year: Richard Carpenter – Kickboxing
Special Achievement Award (Volunteer Award): Sandy Ireson, Pen-y-Cwm School Judo Club
Special Achievement Award (Disability Award): Sarah Gratton – Heads of the Valley Sports Club
Young Sports Person of the Year – Female: Natalie Gingell – Abertillery Freefallers Trampolining
Young Sports Person of the Year – Male: Aron Williams – Devils Kickboxing
Young Team of the Year: Tredegar U15 Cricketers
Adult Sports Person of the Year Award: Richard Carpenter – Kickboxing
Adult Team of the Year: Blaina Bowls Club
Coach of the Year Award: Lisa Edwards – Abertillery Freefallers Trampoline Club
Lifetime Achievement Award: Gerald Watkins – Table Tennis
For more information on sport clubs and activities, please contact Cath Wood, Sports Development Manager, on 01495 355654.
