Teignbridge Honours Its Sports Personalities
| Published: 29th April 2008 14:43 |
Teignbridge Honours Its Sports Personalities
Teignbridge Council and local sportspeople have celebrated the best and brightest sporting talents at the Teignbridge Sports Personality Awards.
| Teignbridge Sports Personality - Scott Smith & TDC Chairman Cllr Anna Klinkenberg The gala event was held Friday 25th April at the Langstone Cliff Hotel in Dawlish, and saw 16 year old Martial Artist Scott Smith win the coveted 'Teignbridge Sports Personality of the Year' trophy, as well as the 'Senior Sportsman of the Year' award.
Scott has spent much of his life studying Martial Arts, recently winning a gold medal in National All Styles Competition and a silver medal in the National Heats. He has also won gold and bronze medals in the British Championships and in March 2008 competed in the World Championship in Ohio, USA, where he won two Gold medals. Through his sport Scott has raised over £800 for charity, and is working towards opening his own Martial Arts school.
Cllr Anne Fry, Teignbridge Executive Spokesperson for Community Services said:
"These awards honoured some of the most talented sportspeople in the district. Our winners should be extremely proud of their achievements, especially in a year with such strong competition.
"We have an ongoing commitment to providing and supporting sporting opportunities throughout the district, and as such it's a pleasure for us to arrange these awards for those who truly excel in their chosen fields. We thank all of our local sportsmen and women for their hard work and dedication.
"I'd also like to thank our sponsors Gemini FM, British Ceramic Tile, Unison, Prestige Furniture and Wessex; as well as all of the local businesses that donated our charity auction lots."
Scott Smith, Teignbridge Sports Personality of the Year said:
"It's fantastic to have won this coveted award, I feel really honoured to have been recognised in this way.
"Having spent 13 years training in martial arts it's been a major part of my life, and this trophy really is testament to the support I've had from trainers, friends and family.
"From here I plan to keep competing and I'm hoping to open my own martial arts school, so that I can support others in the way that I've been supported."
This year saw the inclusion of two special awards which honoured the outstanding contribution of two local sportspeople.
The first was awarded to Kerrie Mott, 16, for Young Persons Services to Sport & Physical Education. Kerrie is a student at South Dartmoor Community Sports College, and has received a Gold Community Volunteers Award by clocking up 248 volunteer hours at the Swallows Gym Club in Plymouth. Kerrie not only excels in a voluntary capacity, but is also an English School Elite Performer in Pole Vault, Athletics and Gymnastics.
The second Special Award of the evening was a 'Special Chairman's Award', presented by Teignbridge Council Chairman Cllr Anna Klinkenberg to John Gully, 89, for his lifetime commitment to walking. John is a qualified voluntary walk leader for the Walk This Way programme, which provides groups of local people the opportunity to take part in regular supervised walks throughout Teignbridge. John first volunteered to become a walk leader at the age of 85, and is known as the man who is always first to arrive for walks, greeting walkers, providing encouragement to others, and as someone who is always willing to volunteer for extra duties.
John Gully, recipient of the Special Chairman's Awards said:
"I've been walking the moors for 75 years, and it's an absolute pleasure for me to be sharing my favourite pastime with members of the Walk This Way programme.
"I feel deeply honoured to have been presented this award by the Chairman of Teignbridge Council, and I'm now looking forward to many more walks to come!"
The evening was hosted by Gemini FM presenter Charlie Moseby, who also took on the mantle of auctioneer in the annual Charity Sports Auction, which took place during the ceremony. This year the auction was raising funds for two charities chosen by the Chairman of Teignbridge Council: The League of Friends of Bovey Tracey, and the Citizens Advice Bureau.
£830 was raised for these charities, with guests and nominees bidding on items ranging from a signed Torquay United football shirt (£60) to a Four Ball and lunch at Bovey Castle (£300).
Charlie Moseby, Gemini FM presenter said:
"It's always a pleasure to be involved in the Sports Personality Awards and to meet some of the amazing sportspeople that Teignbridge has to offer.
"This year we saw a really fantastic bunch of nominees, and I don't envy the judges who had to choose between their superb accomplishments.
"I'd like to congratulate all of our winners for their commitment to sport - they really are a great example and role models for us all.
"As always, the Charity Sports Auction was really well supported by those in attendance. My thanks go to everyone who bid and helped raise over £800 for charity."
Nigel Croll, Marketing Manager of British Ceramic Tile said:
"British Ceramic Tile is delighted to be associated with these awards that recognise the dedication of those who achieve sporting success as much as those who so selflessly give their time to supporting others.
"Our congratulations and best wishes go to all those whose effort and commitment have been deservedly recognised this year."
