THE finalists have been revealed in the 2017 Wiltshire Sports Awards, set up by the Swindon Advertiser, Gazette & Herald and Wiltshire Times in conjunction with Wiltshire & Swindon Sport (WASP).
Hundreds of nominations were received before the deadline of November 3, with the awards supported by a host of sponsors from businesses all across the county, designed to recognise and reward the achievements and contributions of athletes, coaches, teams, clubs and volunteers throughout Wiltshire.
Newsquest Wiltshire group sports editor Owen Houlihan and WASP CEO Steve Boocock read over the nominations for 12 categories before deliberating and naming three finalists in each.
From mid-December right up until the awards ceremony at Devizes’ Corn Exchange on Friday, January 26, we will profile the finalists in each category each week in the pages of the Swindon Advertiser, Wiltshire Gazette & Herald and Wiltshire Times, outlining their achievements and contribution to sport in Wiltshire.
In the meantime, 1968 Olympic 400m hurdles champion David Hemery will join the judging panel to further deliberating on the finalists and decide the winner for each of the categories.
In addition, a Special Achievement Award, sponsored by Imagine Cruising, will be chosen from all the nominations from the rest of the categories.
All the winners will be announced at the Corn Exchange celebration ceremony at the end of January, which will include an audience with 1985 World Snooker champion and now-television commentator Dennis Taylor, who will be guest speaker.
The evening will be a celebration of all of the winners for all of the categories, and tickets are available priced at £15 per adult and £9 per child, to include a buffet.
Tickets can be purchased by calling Leahanne Reynolds on 01793 501737 (Mon-Wed) or email wiltshiresportsawards@newsquest.co.uk.
2017 Wiltshire Sports awards nominees
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Reuben Digital and Jazzbones Creative
Jordan Smith – Derry Hill European Tour golfer
Tom Gale – Trowbridge high jumper
Callum Gingell – Bradford on Avon Canoe Club
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Miles Windows Systems
Shona O’Dwyer – Swindon netballer
Anne Marie Watson – Trowbridge ultra-distance runner
Rebecca Connolly – Swindon female boxer
PARA SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Imagine Cruising
Tiegan Higgs – Chippenham Moonrakers gymnast
Lauren Booth – Chippenham para-cyclist
Polly Maton – Urchfont world championship medal-winning athlete
JUNIOR SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by People for Places
George Lewis – Goatacre CC/FC Chippenham/FC Wiltshire/Hardenhuish School
Jessica Daykin – Wiltshire School of Gymnastics
Max Cook – Swindon motorcycle rider
MANAGER/COACH OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Go South West
Cherie Skeats – Esprit Gymnastics, Swindon
Liam Lathbury, Emeralds Boxing Club head coach, Chippenham
Alun Rossiter – Swindon Robins team boss
TEAM OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by MANS LC
Swindon St George Rugby League
Goatacre Cricket Club
Westbury Ladies RFC
CLUB OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Sweets Galore
Stratton Juniors FC
Avon Valley Runners
Swindon Ice Hockey Academy
JUNIOR TEAM OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Platinum Motor Company
Wrag Barn Golf Club’s junior section, Wiltshire champions
Warminster RFC Pink Panthers girls
Sheldon School U13 boys handball team
SCHOOL SPORTS PARTICIPATION
Sponsored by Kingstons Estate Agents
Lisa Adams, head of PE at Lavington School
Ramsbury Primary School
Bitham Brook Primary School, Westbury
COMMUNITY AWARD
Sponsored by Bowman House
Sam Bullas – Swindon Wildcats in the Community
Active Trowbridge
Paul Rogers, Scrappers Boxing Gym, Swindon
UNSUNG HERO
Sponsored by Active Trowbridge
Vince Marriott – Trowbridge Basketball League
Diana Viles – Wiltshire athletics coach
Philip Mayberry – chairman Wiltshire Judo Association
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by NU Image
Sadie Minturn – Moredon Junior Netball Club
Alan Harding/Michal Jakosz – Trowbridge Basketball League
Lee Bowen – Sanford Link Table Tennis Club/Wiltshire Table Tennis Association
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