Newtown's sports stars are honoured

Sportsmen and women from the Newtown area were among those honoured at the Montgomeryshire Sports Awards.

Presenting the awards was Commonwealth Games gold medallist Michaela Breeze MBE. Michaela rose through the ranks to become one of the UK’s top female weightlifters and has represented Wales and TeamGB on many occasions before her recent retirement. She has also been eight-time Undefeated British Champion.

Trish Turner, Sports Development Officer with Powys County Council, said: "The evening was a wonderful celebration of sport in Montgomeryshire. The Young Sports Personality categories were particularly strong, showing exciting potential for the future of sport in the county.

"It was a real scoop for us having Michaela present and lots of people have commented on how inspirational she was in her speech. She is a great role model for athletes of all sports."

The winners of the 2011 Montgomeryshire Sports Awards are:

* Junior Team of the Year - Welshpool High School U12s Football Team

* Senior Team of the Year - Newtown Ladies Hockey Club

* Young Sports Leader - Nathan ‘Bob’ Rogers, Whitestars FC

* Volunteer of the Year - Josh Morris, Newtown

* Coach of the Year - Trio of Jill Hillman, Michelle Beeson and Caroline Orrells (Maldwyn Harriers)

* Club of the Year - Maldwyn Harriers

* Disabled Sports personality of the Year - Frankie Jones

* U12 Junior Sports Personality of the year - George Hudson

* U18 Female Junior Sports Personality of the year - Adele Nicoll

* U18 Male Junior Sports Personality of the year - Nicholas Jones

* Senior Sports Personality of Year - Caroline Taylor

Trophies were also presented to four individuals to recognise their outstanding contribution to sport - Anne Kilvert (tennis and enduro/motorcycling); Gary Human of Castle Caereinion (short mat bowls); Grant Perry (junior football); and Sue Bonsall (hockey).

To view the presentation pictures visit:

http://powys.images.newsflashconnect.co.uk/pickuppictures.tlx?pickupid=641165

Junior Team of the Year - Welshpool High School U12’s Football Team

The team have enjoyed a successful year which culminating in winning the Wales schools football competition. It is the first time Welshpool High School had won a national football final since 1996 and the team spirit and positive attitude of the youngsters is a credit to the school.

Senior Team of the Year - Newtown Ladies Hockey Club

Newtown Ladies Hockey Club enjoyed a memorable year in 2010/11, winning the North Wales League and Cup. In addition to playing weekly matches, the team take coaching sessions for player of all ages and abilities and have over forty registered junior players. Talented youngsters have successfully been fed into the team. This season some of the team have been picked to play for regional and national teams - Daisy Smith (U18 Welsh Squad); Lauren Evans & Beth Lewis (regional level).

Young Sports Leader - Nathan ‘Bob’ Rogers

Bob became a volunteer at Whitestars FC in September 2010 and has proven to be invaluable, maturing beyond his years. He has completed his FAW leaders and the only thing he regrets is that he didn’t start volunteering earlier.

The team adore him and aspire to being as good as him when they are older. He is a shining example to others of what can be achieved with hard work and commitment.

Volunteer of the Year - Josh Morris17-year-old Josh is a very busy volunteer. He coaches and co-manages Newtown Whitestars U13’s junior team as well as refereeing for the youth and junior teams whilst also a linesman for the college team.

He also volunteers with his college visiting schools through the Active Young People Scheme and helping the local Football Development Officer. Josh is also very pro-active to improve his coaching and leadership badges attending numerous courses. Josh has completed his 200 hour Millennium Volunteering Certificate.

Coach of the Year - Trio of Jill Hillman, Michelle Beeson and Caroline Orrells (Maldwyn Harriers)

After developing a running club in 2008 which proves very popular with over 30 runners involved, Jill, Michelle and Caroline wanted to develop another branch to the club, this time for beginners. It is the ethos of the group leaders that has made these groups so popular.

They aim to have fun, make running a social occasion rather than a chore, and to improve ones wellbeing and fitness. As with many volunteers and coaches Jill spends many hours of her own time organising and ensuring that the ladies of the club get the most out of what they offer.

It’s an immense credit to her with Caroline and Michelle that their running club has grown beyond all expectations and it cannot be ignored how much they have must have added to the health and wellbeing of the local area.Caroline is still active in the Newtown Club and has now started one in Welshpool.

Club of the Year - Maldwyn Harriers

The club is involved in a sport covering a wide range of disciplines. It is open to all abilities and ages from 8 to 70+ and has over 120 athletes.

The club are involved assisting the Star Track Scheme with the Sports Development Department during school holidays, organising a Cross-Country event & Track and Field event for local Primary Schools.

Outstanding Athletes include Welsh Internationals Sian Swanson, Catrin Thomas, Tim Davies, Andy Davies, Ed Davies, Roland Stafford and Trefor Pugh. All of this work has only been possible through a strong and dedicated committee which meets on a regular basis.

Disabled Sports personality of the Year - Frankie Jones

Frankie has had a very busy year in 2011, competing for the Cardiff Celts in the national Junior League for Wheelchair Basketball. He was chosen to captain the U15’s team at the National Junior Wheelchair Basketball Tournament in Stoke Mandeville.

Frankie’s improvement this year, led to him being the most consistent player in the Welsh Team achieving the highest score for Wales in the competition. Frankie is also a keen Golfer and trains at Welshpool Golf club.

Last summer he collected the British title for the best junior golfer in a competition in England. He is a great role model to others and always takes part in the best spirit of the game.

U12 Junior Sports Personality of the year - George Hudson

George started Judo aged 6 and wrestling age 8 with AJ Judo Welshpool. In 2009 he became British Novice Wrestling Champion U27kg.

Last year George gained a silver medal at the British Novice championships, held in Manchester and took a bronze in the Irish Open Wrestling Championships he also became Welsh open judo Champion U27kg and Welsh closed judo competition he took a silver after 7 fights.

November, also saw George taking Gold in U30kg at Aspull International Championship, a wrestling competition. Finally last year, George entered the Powys Schools Judo competition held in Newtown and achieved Gold in the U30KGs.

U18 Female Junior Sports Personality of the year - Adele Nicoll

Adele has had an exceptional year, currently ranked 1st in U15 Shot & Discuss in the UK. This year Adele gained the championship titles of Celtic School U16 Indoor in both Shot & Discuss, Aviva SIAB U17 Shot Champion, Welsh U15 & U17 Shot Champion.

Adele has already achieved so much on the International scene thanks to her obvious talent and hard work. She is an outstanding role model , not only for girls athletics, but for sport in general.

Adele is a member of one of the UK's top athletics clubs, Birchfield Harriers and travels 3 times a week to Birmingham. Adele also won the overall u18’s Category in last years awards.

U18 Male Junior Sports Personality of the year - Nicholas Jones

Nicholas has trained at Wrexham High Performance Tennis Academy since the age of 8 - training full-time 5 days a week since the age of 11. Nicholas was a member of the Wales U18 team in the Tri-Nations tournament in Ireland.

In August he won the National U18 Torbay Open Championship. This was followed by Nicholas becoming the youngest boy in Britain to achieve an ATP Mens World ranking 1514 - one of only two boys under 18 in Britain to hold a world ranking in mens tennis (the other being Liam Broady runner-up in Junior Wimbledon 2011).

Senior Sports Personality of Year - Caroline Taylor

Caroline has played bowls at club, county, national and international level and is one of the most outstanding players in Wales. Caroline started bowling as a teenager and joined Berriew Bowling Club in 2000 and gained her first Welsh cap in 2003 and has continued to be member of the national team ever since.

In 2011 Caroline won her third Welsh singles title, which is very impressive achievement bettered only by two other players in the history of welsh women's bowls. Caroline was chosen to represent Wales in the European Championships in Portugal in November.

The team returned with a gold medal in the mixed fours competition and bronze in the ladies pairs as well as the overall team gold medal. Wales have never achieved such success previously in this championship.

Caroline is always willing and keen to give of her time to Berriew Bowling Club and is currently the Ladies Secretary. She also enjoys coaching both new and junior members, taking pleasure in seeing in particular the junior members improve as a result of her and others time and patience

Outstanding Contribution to Sport (4 awards presented)

Anne Kilvert

Anne has been a stalwart for sport in Montgomeryshire since the mid 1970’s when she moved into the area from Shropshire. She became a long standing member of Newtown Badminton club were she played to a high standard and also helped the development of junior players.

Many players owe their introduction into the sport to Anne. Anne continued playing and coaching up until 2000 when she decided that after over 30 years in the sport as player and coach she needed a break.

The break was not from sport itself as she was already deeply involved in the organisation of the annual Welsh two-day enduro event. This event, from a low level of 175 riders when she first became involved in 1991, has increased to over 560 riders from all over the world as well as a considerable waiting list.

She dedicates a considerable amount of time to her busy role of event secretary. She is also deeply involved with the Clive Motorcycle Club and the Welsh National Motorcycle rally.

Gary Human

Gary has been the Chairman of Castle Caereinion Short Mat Bowls Club since its formation approximately ten years ago. For the first few years of its existence the club languished in the bottom reaches of the Montgomeryshire League but Gary encouraged Club members to persevere with their game and for the past 5 years the club has remained undefeated in local competition.

Not only is Gary Chairman of the club, but for the last seven years he has been the Chairman of the ever-growing Montgomeryshire Short Mat Bowls Association. Gary is also well known nationally.

He has umpired in both the British Isles and World Championships and is a member of the Welsh Umpires Executive Committee.

For many years Gary served as the Montgomeryshire representative on the Executive Committee of the Welsh Short Mat Bowls Association and it was as a result of the respect he earned from fellow members of this committee that he was elected Chairman of the Welsh Short Mat Bowls Association in both the 2008 and 2009 Seasons.

Grant Perry

Grant has been the Mid and North Powys Junior League Secretary for over 6 years. In this time Grant has been able transform the league into one of the most successful junior leagues in the country.

The league caters for players from under 7s, through to under 16s and currently has over 800 players The league also provides support for the Powys Girls Leagues; co-ordinates and delivers a coaching centre for gifted and talented players; enters teams into regional and national competitions; as well providing support to local league clubs to help with their development.

The coaching centre, which Grant initiated, has a strong partnership with Welsh Premier Club Newtown to ensure that there is a player pathway for junior players wanting to play at a higher level.

Grant has also been involved with helping local junior clubs meet FAW standards. His nomination says the league continues to set an example for other leagues in Wales to follow and Grant has been instrumental it's growth.

Sue Bonsall

Sue has been involved with Newtown Hockey Club since 1978 when she moved to the area. Sue played for Newtown until 2005 and still plays the occasional veterans match. As a player her achievements included playing in 3 European Cup Winners Cups; managing the team at 3 other European Cups.

Sue also captained Newtown to victory in the North Wales Cup. Sue even played for Wales B side before moving to Newtown. Sue helped run the junior section of Newtown Hockey club for 15 years and also was involved in hockey at Newtown High School where she took the school team to five Welsh Schools finals.

Sue has also helped run Montgomeryshire School girls hockey for the past 15 years. Since Sue finished playing, she picked up the whistle and has umpired many junior and senior matches.

Sue also gives up her time to drive the team to many matches and even turns her hand to maintenance. Sue's nomination described her as a pleasure to play and work alongside with her passion and hard work for sport being an inspiration to others. Sue is always willing to help in any way she can.