The Havering Sports Council 2012 award winners with Mayor of Havering Cllr Lynden Thorpe

Sports Council announce prize winners

Havering Sports Council revealed their 2012 award winners at Upminster Golf Club last night.

The annual event paid tribute to the sporting achievements of borough youngsters, sportsmen, women and volunteers on a night of celebration.

Hornchurch & Elm Park boxer Sonny Ali was named Junior Sportsman of the Year, a category which also included Seb Adams and Reuben Howe, having landed a national schoolboys title last year.

GB Paralympian Amy Marren took the Junior Sportswoman award, arriving just in time from a training session to pip Michelle Hughes and Lauren Salisbury to the prize.

And Geoff Webb, from Romford Rifle & Pistol Club, took the Sports Competitor of the Year honours, having won Essex, English and British Championship titles in the past year.

Havering Mayesbrook Athletic Club all-rounder Tony Benton claimed the Volunteer of the Year prize, ahead of Havering Cricket Club husband and wife duo Brian and Audrey Clay and Havering Cormorants Diving Club’s Mark Gorsuch.

And Coopers Coborn’s under-16 girls took the Secondary School Team of the Year honurs, ahead of Frances Bardsley’s football squad and Royal Liberty’s rowing team.

Engayne’s boys cricket team saw off their own girls team and the Ardleigh Green quads squad to take the Primary School award, having lost just once in 21 matches – by seven runs in the national final.

And Romford Rifle & Pistol Club completed a double, following Webb’s earlier success, with the Club of the Year award ahead of Romford & Gidea Park Rugby Club and the Havering & Hornchurch School of Swimming.

Football referee Les Adler took the Doug Riden Lifetime Achievement award for long service to the local game, ahead of fellow referee Mel Barker and athletics coach Brian Kiernan.

Havering Sports Council president Peter Bruce said: “The adjudicating committee had a brain-busting meeting to chose from the information given and those who did not win should not feel disappointed if they see the list of those who are not here.

“It’s another year to celebrate the amazing success of our local sports people, who all have support from others, whether it’s their parents, coaches, club volunteers, managers and helpers, who no club could function without.”

Mayor of Havering, Cllr Lynden Thorpe, added: “The links between the council and Havering Sports Council thrive and long may it continue.

“We have an energetic sports sector with a range of opportunities to set the foundations for athletes to progress.

“The quality gets higher and higher each year. Congratulations to all for being nominated.”