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Sports Personality Awards

Tom leaps to the top as new Blaenau Gwent Sports Personality of the Year

Welsh international long-jumper Tom Kivell is Blaenau Gwent Sports Personality of the Year – at the age of just 19.

UWIC sports student Tom, from Beaufort, has propelled himself to the brink of Great Britain athletics recognition in the long jump and the triple jump.

But he was stunned when he was announced as the winning sports personality – the top prize at Blaenau Gwent Council’s glittering sports awards evening held at Tredegar Sports Centre.

Paralympian swimming gold winner Dave Roberts and Olympics relay silver medal winner Jamie Baulch were the special guests at the event.

They both told the audience of Blaenau Gwent sports competitors, teams and coaches that they should all aim to be the best they can be in their own sport – and to live their Olympic and Paralympic dreams.

Tom Kivell said:

“This is all a big shock – not what I was expecting.  There are so many here from so many sports. But it shows what we can achieve in our communities here.

“I want to show what is possible. Of course, I would really like to compete at the Olympics one day.  I’m only 19 years old now and still gaining strength. I have been up to the new BG Athletics Club and joined in a few times – it’s been brilliant. I’m sure the club will do really well for athletics and for Blaenau Gwent.”

Tom – currently ranked 3rd for triple jump and 8th for long jump in the UK -  said he owed thanks to his parents Gareth and Kathy, to his coach Sean Power and his teachers at school for their encouragement and support.

Olympian Jamie Baulch showed all his running energy in giving advice to Blaenau Gwent’s leading sports competitors – young and old. He said:

“This has been brilliant.  The fact that we go so many people from sport here is fantastic.  And these awards are so important – they give people the will to go on and achieve more and get the recognition they deserve.”

Paralympian Dave Roberts said that he believed every competitor should remember their first medal as much as their last.  He said:

“This event is so important for young people in sport in Blaenau Gwent. I have family myself from Tredegar and seeing the young people here winning awards is great. That first medal is so important.”

This year’s awards included new sports – show jumping and skeleton bob.  But there were also award winners and runners up from rugby, football, cricket, netball, gymnastics, martial arts, running, athletics and boxing.

Awards were presented by Jamie Baulch, Dave Roberts, Dai Davies MP, Coun Des Hillman, Leader of Blaenau Gwent Council, Coun Jason Owen, Executive Member for Leisure and Culture, Angela Williams and Mayor of Blaenau Gwent John Williams MBE, JP.

The awards sponsors are Penn Pharma, Wicksteed Leisure, Seargeant Brothers Printers Ltd, South Wales Sports Grounds and Countrywide.

Coun Des Hillman, Leader of Blaenau Gwent Council, said that the sports personality awards had been a great success – and showed commitment and dedication to sport from clubs and individuals.  He added his thanks to the Council’s Leisure Division for good work in organising the awards event and for supporting clubs and individuals throughout the year.

Sports Personality of the year 2008/2009

Tom Kivell

Adult Sports Person of the Year

Tom Kivell- winner- Long Jump/Triple Jump

Richard Shore- Runner up- Ju jit su- martial arts
Richard was the winner of the Coach of the Year Award – see details below.

Leon Yandle- Runner up- Bob skeleton
Leon has been track sprinting for two years and as well as winning athletics medals he has competed at national level in the ice sport bob skeleton. He has been selected for the British Winter Olympics talent squad.

Coach of the Year Award

Richard Shore- Winner- Ju Jit Su Martial Arts
Richard, of the Tillery Combat Centre, has represented Great Britain in Ju Jit Su and won gold in the black belt division at the world martial arts games.
He founded his own gym, has gained a professional coaching licence and coaching certificates and has established the reputation of the Tillery Combat Centre across the UK. His club’s competitors have taken part in hundreds of competitions – winning numerous medals.
Positive in manner, he coaches young people to be disciplined and respectful of themselves and others.
Recently, his centre has gained a Prince’s Trust award to expand and provide more martial arts coaching and training in the community.
 
Gerald Watkins- Runner up- Table Tennis
Gerald is a legend in table tennis and has been playing and coaching the sport for more than 60 years. He played to international level and now coaches players young and old as well as hosting tournaments in Abertillery for players from across Wales.

Young Male Sports Person of the Year

Matthew Whatley- Winner- Football
Swansea City scholarship footballer Matthew, from Brynmawr Comprehensive School, has represented Wales at junior level – and has also played for Wales in rugby league scoring a try on his debut. Soccer defender Matthew has already played two games for Swansea City reserves and has been offered a two year scholarship with the Championship club.

Drew Penny- Runner up- Show Jumping
Drew has shown great dedication and passion in his chosen sport of showjumping. Recently he has won medals in many competitions and has qualified for the Great Britain show jumping championships.

Young Female Sports Person of the Year

Victoria Williams- Winner- Gymnastics
Only 11 years old, Victoria has taken the world of gymnastics by storm winning competitions in floor work, bar and beam in the last year.  Now a Welsh champion in her age group she is ranked number 3 in the British standings – as well as being a member of the Wales and East Wales gymnastic squads.

Ashley Brace- Runner up- Boxing
Ashley is a member of the Heads of the Valleys Boxing Club who has been successful over the past year winning a silver medal in competition in Finland and representing Wales against the Army. She has shown outstanding commitment to her sport.

Adult Team of the Year

Parc Bryn Bach Running- Winner
Previously Club 69, Parc Bryn Bach Running Club have been highly successful over the last year – they were crowned as Gwent Leisure Centre League Champions and won several other club titles. Club members won honours as east Wales road race champions – and a club member represented Great Britain in the European triathlon championships held in France.

Tredegar Cricket Club- Runner Up
The club won promotion to division one of the Welsh Conference and have been unbeaten since May 2008. Tredegar players have represented Wales and Gwent at several age level – the team is a blend of youth and experience.

Young Team of the Year

Valleys Academy Gymnastics Team- Winner
Ebbw Vale based Valleys Gymnastics Academy have put Blaenau Gwent on the map in terms of gymnastics. The competitive young gymnasts, with Victoria Williams leading the way, took three-quarters of the titles at the recent East Wales championship and are now challenging for medals at Welsh and British championship level.  Several members have won Welsh championships. The club members train from between five and 22 hours a week and the club is now challenging the domination of clubs based in cities and along the M4 corridor here in Wales and in the UK.

Brynmawr School U15 Rugby Union Team- Runner up
The U15s senior rugby team has enjoyed a very successful season winning the Gwent schools mid-week league with victory in all but one of their 14 fixtures – scoring 342 points to only 44 along the way.

Special Achievement Award- Disability Sport

Sarah Grattan- Judo
Sarah has been selected for the Welsh Special Olympics team and will compete in the British Special Olympics team later this year in her first sport of judo. The former Blaenau Gwent Sports Personality of the Year has won medals in several competitions. But she has also taken up swimming and won a gold medal in a recent gala event competing for the Blaenau Gwent Otters swimming club.

Special Achievement Award- Volunteering in Sport

Diane Barnes- Abertillery Netball Club
Diane has shown outstanding commitment in a playing and coaching career that has spanned 25 years – helping Abertillery Netball Club build up a membership of 75 and gain great success in competition.  She has coached teams to promotion in the South East Wales Netball League and has guided many players to county and Welsh honours. Thanks to Diane, Abertillery Netball Club is recognised as one of the strongest club in South East Wales.

Roll of honour

Sports Personality of the year 2008/2009
Tom Kivell

Adult Sports Person of the Year
Tom Kivell- winner- Long Jump/Tripple Jump
Richard Shore- Runner up- Ju jit su- martial atrs
Leon Yandle- Runner up- Bob skeleton

Coach of the Year Award
Richard Shore- Winner- Ju Jit Su Martial Arts
Gerald Watkins- Runner up- Table Tennis

Young Male Sports Person of the Year
Matthew Whatley- Winner- Football
Drew Penny- Runner up- Show Jumping

Young Female Sports Person of the Year
Victoria Williams- Winner- Gymnastics
Ashley Brace- Runner up- Boxing

Adult Team of the Year
Parc Bryn Bach Running- Winner
Tredegar Cricket Club- Runner Up

Young Team of the Year
Valleys Academy Gymnastics Team- Winner
Brynmawr School U15 Rugby Union Team- Runner up

Special Achievement Award- Disability Sport
Sarah Grattan- Judo

Special Achievement Award- Volunteering in Sport
Diane Barnes- Abertillery netball Club