09 Nov Active #Braintree Sports Awards 2016 recognise local achievers
Braintree District’s finest sporting talent was celebrated on Monday evening at the third Active Braintree & Physical Activity Sports Awards.
Active Braintree is a network supported by Active Essex that works with partners including Braintree District Council, Essex County Council, local schools/colleges, sports clubs, Essex FA, Greenfields Housing, Fusion Lifestyle and health agencies, to promote sport and physical activity in the Braintree District.
The awards recognise the achievements of local people taking part in sport and those who make contributions to the development of sport with over 75 nominations sent in for the panel to shortlist, testament to the efforts of local people taking part in and promoting sport.
All those shortlisted for an award have been automatically entered into the Essex Sports Awards which will take place on Wednesday 7th December at Chelmsford City Racecourse. Congratulations go to the winners of the evening including Matt Clark who won Sports Personality of the Year. Matt represented Great Britain in Taekwondo and competed at the World Championships where he won gold in the national team event.
Joint winners of the Local Young Sports Personality of the Year Award went to Taylor Gooding and Louise Childs. Taylor is one of the youngest in the sport of fell running who travels far and wide to participate in the sport she loves and is a true ambassador for all young athletes. Louise is an outstanding PE student and represents the school in nearly every sport including athletics, badminton and football. Louise is a great role model for young people and is a good example of someone enjoying and working hard in a range of sports.
Guests of the evening included BMX athlete and This Girl Can Ambassador Lana Redgewell and former Olympic volleyball player Rachel Laybourne. Lana is an Active Essex Inspired Athlete and in 2016 qualified for the 2017 UCI World BMX Championships in South Carolina USA. Rachel completed for Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics, an is inspiring ambassador for sport.
Sponsors, Fusion Lifestyle, The College at Braintree, Braintree District Council, Chairman Councillor Frankie Ricci, Braintree & Witham Times, NHS Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, Birkett Long Solicitors also attended to present their sponsored awards to both the winners and the highly commended nominees.
Active Braintree has supported a range of projects and activities since it began, including the Workplace Challenge, the Braintree District Walkabout Group, the Great Notley Park Run, Pedal in the Park and more recently Walking Football in Halstead and Witham.
Councillor Peter Tattersley, Cabinet Member for Health and Communities said, “This event really does showcase the range of sporting talent within the Braintree District. Through Active Essex and the district’s Livewell Campaign, we are committed to supporting and promoting a range of activities to improve the health and wellbeing of our residents. Thank you to everyone who nominated, to our sponsors and to the athletes, clubs and volunteers who have been highly commended, and a special congratulations to those who have won at this year’s awards.”
Winners:
Sports Personality of the Year (sponsored by Fusion Lifestyle)
Winner: Matt Clark (Witham Taekwondo club)
Local Sports Personality of the Year
Joint Winners: Taylor Gooding (Alec Hunter School) & Louise Childs (Alec Hunter School)
Physical Activity Project of the Year/Changing Lives around Physical Activity (sponsored by Mid Essex CCG)
Winner: Halstead Walking Football Club
Services to Disability Sport
Winner: Jessica Leonard (Braintree Mencap)
Unsung Hero (Volunteer) (sponsored by Braintree & Witham Times)
Winner: Nigel Andrews (Archery)
Young Sports Personality of the Year
Winner: Adam Gilbert (Braintree BMX club)
Young Community Volunteer
Winner: Kian Culham
Community Club of the Year (sponsored by Braintree District Council Chairman)
Winner: Yong Gi Do Martial Arts Club
Coach of the Year
Winner: Pamela Hardy (Archery)
School or College of the Year (sponsored by Birkett Long Solicitors)
Winner: Maltings Academy
