Press Release  - 18.10.2007

DURHAM SPORT PARTNERSHIP HOSTS ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER

The Durham Sport Partnership hosted their fourth Annual Awards Dinner last Friday - 12 October - at Ramside Hall Hotel in Durham.

The event, compered by Jeff Brown with BBC Look North, attracted 320 guests and successfully recognised a range of local coaches, officials, volunteers, clubs and schools for their contributions to the development of sport across County Durham over the last year.

All nominees for the county awards were of a very high standard and had all been successful in winning their relevant award at the district level.

Guest speaker Steve Smith, Britain’s most successful ever high jumper having won a medal in every major championship including the Olympic Games, provided a motivational speech and auctioned a number of fantastic prizes.

Durham Sport also announced two new young ambassadors Carl Smith and Andy Summers who have shown unquestionable talent and commitment in both sports performance and leadership.

Carl Smith, from Chester Le Street, has won numerous county and regional titles for cross-country and on the track, and has represented the County and the North East at several national championships, winning a bronze medal at the North of England Track Championships in 2006.

Andy Summers, from Durham City, represents Chester Le Street Cricket Club and came into this season off the back of a successful 2006 campaign, which saw the club lift the north east premier league 2nd division title and league cup.

Both Carl and Andy have completed a Community Sports Leadership Award and were chosen to become Young Ambassadors for the 2012 London Olympics, a role which has seen them ultimately selected to be Durham Sport Partnership Young Ambassadors. This role has involved them both in encouraging young people to participate in sport on a more regular basis and also give a presentation to the mayor and several other councillors about their role and the 2012 Olympics.

The county award winners on the evening were:
•Male Community Coach of the Year, Sponsored by Hayton & Lamb
Hal Graham - Sedgefield

•Female Community Coach of the Year, Sponsored by Hayton & Lamb,
Ashley Haley - Easington

Male Volunteer Coach of the Year, Sponsored by Linton Printers,
Scott Hydon - Sedgefield

•Female Volunteer Coach of the Year, Sponsored by Linton Printers,
Gillian Page - Chester le Street

•Male Volunteer of the Year, Sponsored by Certys Ltd,
Ian Stuart - Wear Valley

•Female Volunteer of the Year, Sponsored by Certys Ltd,
Margaret Macfarlane - Sedgefield

•Young Volunteer of the Year, Sponsored by Certys Ltd,
Devon-Marie Elgie – Chester le Street

•Sports Club of the Year, Sponsored by D&P Trophies,
Durham City Harriers and Athletic Club - Durham

•Junior Sports Club of the Year, Sponsored by D&P Trophies,
Staindrop & Wear Valley Gymnastics - Teesdale

•Primary School Contribution to PE & School Sport, Sponsored by Hellens Sport,
St Marys RC Primary School – Derwentside

•Secondary School Contribution to PE & School Sport, Sponsored by Hellens Sport,
Framwellgate School - Durham

•County Durham Contribution to Sport Award, Sponsored by Hellens Sport,
Geoff Cook - Durham County Cricket Club

Durham Sport would like to thank all of the sponsors, Local Authority Sports Development Managers and School Sport Partnership Development Managers for their contributions and support towards the event.

For more information about the event please contact

Jeanette Turner on jturner@durhamcity.gov.uk  or 0191 301 8416