Personality awards night shows the depth of talent (From Barry And District News)

Personality awards night shows the depth of talent

THE EIGHTH annual Vale of Glamorgan sports personality awards evening has again demonstrated the wealth of sporting talent within the area.

Staged at the Barry Memorial Hall, it was organised by the Vale of Glamorgan District Sports Council and the Vale Council's Sports Development Unit, and celebrated and rewarded an array of outstanding competitors and coaches from the local community.

TV presenter Rhodri Davies compered, supported by sporting celebrities, including members of Cardiff Devils ice hockey team, WRU coach Scott Johnson, and former Olympic gymnast Gwyneth Lingard. Vale AM Jane Hutt, Sports Council for Wales Chief Executive Huw Jones and Ty Hafan Director of Market-ing Pam Dodd helped presentations.

Awards went to:

Junior male, international cricketer Ben Wright; Junior female, cyclist Alexandra Greenfield; Junior team, Cowbridge Comprehensive School boys' ski club; Volunteer of the year, Eunice Lamb; Special achievement, gymnast Emma Stokes; Senior male, Welsh Tae Kwon Do champion Paul Jones; Senior female, Masters swimming champion Julie Crayford; Coach of the year, Peter Haysham.

There were also two new awards this year, with Holton Primary (Barry) being named as the top school, and Karen Coyle and Bev Hopkins jointly named as Dragon Sport volunteer of the year.

Vale Cabinet Member (Economic Development and Leisure) Cllr Michael Harvey extended thanks to the sponsors, Barry Lions, GD Graphics, Charles Insurance and the Community Chest Awards Scheme - and the organising committee comprising Merlyn Priddle, Angela Price, Alun Rees, Leon Shakespeare, Neville Young, Anne Barnaby, Ian Le Britton and Christine Lloyd.

Vale District Sports Council chairman Christine Lloyd said: "The sports personality awards evening clearly demonstrates the tremendous depth of talent and dedication involved in grassroots sport in the Vale of Glamorgan."

Shortlisted candidates who were also recognised were Polly James and Sian Blackman (Junior female), Michael Walker and Nathan Mullet (Junior male), Barry Vale Karate Under-12s and Barry Ladies' Hockey Club (Team of the year), Sarah Toshack and James Savoury (Special achievement), Alun Purdy and Kyle Blake (Senior male), Leanne Martlew and Ashea Martyn (Senior female), Cowbridge Comprehensive School and Sully Primary School (School of the year), and Neville Young and Jacquie Latter (Coach of the year).

Photographs are available, contact John O'Beirne on 01446 420080. For information contact Vale sports development manager Paul Nanji on 01446 704614.