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Sports Personality Awards

Sports Personality of the Year Awards

Sporting stars from across the County Borough gathered at Ebbw Vale Sports Centre on Friday 18 January for the twelfth Blaenau Gwent Sports Personality Awards.

The annual flagship event celebrates the achievements of local sportsmen and women, including competitors, coaches and volunteers from Blaenau Gwent with guest speakers presenting the awards, including Head of Sport in Wales, Nigel Walker.

This year’s overall Sports Personality of the Year Award went to Sarah Gratton for her contribution to Judo. Since beginning Judo in 1998 Sarah has achieved her Brown Belt and in October 2007 she represented Great Britain in Shanghai Special Olympics World Games. When asked by Nigel Walker how she felt to receive the award, Sarah stated that she felt ‘great’ with her parents adding that they realised that Sarah had a gift at the age of 11 years old, which has seen her stand on the Olympic podium to receive her silver medal last year.

Runners up for the overall award included Lauren Williams (Great Britain Water Skiing) and Daniel Richards (Valleys Boxing Club).

The Young Sports Personality of the Year Award (Male) went to Owain Dando for his success in Bowls and Lauren Williams continued her success winning the Young Sports Personality of the Year Award (Female).
     
The Council’s Sports Development Team organise the annual event. They work in partnership with other organisations and groups to ensure that there is a wide range of sporting opportunities available locally.

The winners and runner-ups on the evening were:

Sports Personality of the Year: Sarah Gratton -  Gwent Valley Sports Club
Runner Up - Lauren Williams – Great Britain Water Skiing, Daniel Richards – Valleys Boxing Club
Special Achievement Award (Volunteer Award): Sharon Howells - Torpedoes Swimming, Nantyglo Netball, Trampolining, Gymnastics
Special Achievement Award (Disability Award): Sarah Gratton – Gwent Valley Sports Club
Young Sports Person of the Year – Female: Lauren Williams – Great Britain Water Skiing
Runner Up – Charlotte Carey – North Gwent Table Tennis, Aimee Dix – Mountain Biking
Young Sports Person of the Year – Male: Owain Dando – Brynmawr Welfare Bowls Club
Runner Up – Garyn Preen – Wales Football, Michael Kershaw – Long Distance Running
Young Team of the Year: Elite Gymnastics Preparation Team
Runner Up - Abertillery Under 9’s Mini Rugby Team, Brynmawr Comprehensive U15 Rugby League Team
Adult Sports Person of the Year Award: Daniel Richards – Valleys Boxing Club
Runner Up – Nicki Cornock – Mountain Running, Lee Aherne - Athletics
Adult Team of the Year: Abertillery Bluebirds AFC
Runner Up – Club 69 Running Club, Blaenau Gwent Otters League Swimming Team
Coach of the Year Award: Lee Herring – Tredegar Cricket Club
Runner Up – Melissa Anderson – Valleys Gymnastics Club
Lifetime Achievement Award: Brian Fry – Cycling

For more information on sport clubs and activities, please contact Cath Hares, Sports Development Manager, on 01495 355654.