THE HIGHLIGHT of a sixth annual Vale of Glamorgan Sports Personality Awards evening was an inaugural lifetime contribution honour for gymnastics coach Gwynedd Lingard.

Introduced for the first time this year, the award, in the form of an inscribed silver salver, was presented to Gwynedd by Vale Council vice-chairman Cllr Harold Rees.

The current president of the Welsh Amateur Gymnastics Association, Gwynedd has been coaching at the Penarth Gymnastics Club for more than 30 years and is the junior club co-ordinator and fundraiser.

A former gymnast, who represented Britain in the Olympics, Gwynedd is also Welsh national co-ordinator for Special Needs Gymnastics. She has produced numerous Welsh, British and European champions, including current GB special needs champions Martin Vick and Sarah Toshack.

Presenting the award, WAGA chairwoman Rita Keitch said: "This special award recognises only very special individuals who have dedicated a large part of their life towards improving opportunities and standards in sport."

Staged at KR's Nightspot at Barry Island, the event again demonstrated the extraordinary wealth of sporting talent in the area.

Organised in partnership between the Vale District Sport Council and the Vale Council's Sports Development Unit, the event celebrates and rewards an array of outstanding competitors and coaches from the local community.

Hosted by television presenter Arfon Haines Davies for the fifth successive year, the event acknowledges sporting excellence of participants, coaches and administrators and there were eight further award categories - junior and senior male and female, junior and senior team, special achievement and coach.

The sponsors were Allen and Harris Estate Agents, the Vale Council, Barry and Llantwit Major, KR's and Happy Embroidery (Dinas Powys), and helping present awards to 24 shortlisted candidates were a host of sporting celebrities including ex Premier League football referee Keith Cooper, Welsh women's rugby international Non Evans and England and Glamorgan cricketer Steve James.

Also assisting were Vale AM Jane Hutt, Vale MP John Smith and Sports Council for Wales Chief Executive Huw Jones.

Cllr Harold Rees said: "This wonderful event has undoubtedly become the highlight of the Vale sporting calendar and, given the size of the Vale, we never cease to be amazed by the unbelievable depth and quality of performer it continues to reveal.

"The council is committed to developing sport in partnership with the local community and improving opportunities for all levels of performers.

"This annual awards evening clearly demonstrates the tremendous depth of talent and dedication that is involved in grass roots sport within the Vale and all the short-listed candidates should be very proud of their achievements."

District Sports Council vice-chairman Nigel Rowland said: "We continue to be staggered by the fantastic quality of sporting excellence which exists in the Vale and this encompasses two world champions and numerous British champions.

"However, it is important to recognise that this evening is not about winners and losers, and all the nominees can feel extremely proud of their various achievements."

WINNERS

Winners and finalists were:

Junior Female: Alisa Cullen. European Surf Life Saving champion Alisa has experienced outstanding success as a junior, dominating her sport at both European and world level. Still classed as a junior, Alisa has stepped up to senior level with amazing success.

Despite being Britain's youngest competitor, she secured silver and bronze medals in the beach flags and beach sprints at the Goodwill Games in Australia and the European Championships in Spain, and helped the GB team return with gold, silver and bronze medals.

To complement her preparations, Alisa trains with Cardiff Athletic Club working on her sprinting techniques. This dedication has resulted in her also winning the Welsh and British beach flag and beach sprints titles. Llantwit Major Surf Life Saving Club youth co-ordinator Richard Morgan said: "I consider Alisa as a worthy candidate for the award, and all her achievements have been realised with commitment, dedication and hours of extremely hard work."

Finalists: Hannah Mills (Dinas Powys, sailing), Bethan Horgan (Sully Indoor Bowling Club), Leanne Martlew (Cowbridge, athletics and surf life saving) and Ellie Carey (Barry Netball Club).

Junior Male: Nicky Limbrick. A member of Barry Tae Kwon Do Club, world champion Nicky has enjoyed a fantastic year with success at both national and international levels.

Under the tutelage of head coach Colin Palfrey, he has dominated his sport and successes cover the WKA Welsh Open Championships, the WUMA British and European Championships and the WKA World Championships.

The head of YM, where Nicky trains, Anthea Clements said: "Nicky is one of the most dedicated athletes I have ever met. He will continue to grow in the martial arts world and I am sure he will fight as a senior for Britain in the very near future."

Finalists: Paul Walker (athletics) and Thomas Merilaht (Cowbridge, cricket).

Junior Team: Barry YMCA Girls' Gymnastics Club. Recognised as one of Wales's leading gymnastics clubs, the YM has a long history of producing top class gymnasts. Under the guidance of senior coach Linda Gee, the elite junior and senior gymnastics teams have excelled during the past year.

The elite and pre elite team consists of 11 gymnasts aged between eight and 17 years and a fantastic year has culminated in all the gymnasts gaining selection into the Welsh national squads.

Holly Templeton, Olivia Bryl, Debbie Lawrence and Cari Rowlands have been awarded Commonwealth Games squad status.

Hard work and dedication has also paid off for the younger members of the squad, with Kirsty Lawrence, Sophie Richardson and Aimee McCarthy gaining senior squad status after outstanding performances in the British Championships.

Not to be outdone, Stacey Webb has gained junior squad status and Megan Cook, Jordan Auckbarally and Ruby Hartery have all been selected for the Welsh Preparation squad.

Head coach Linda Gee said of the team: "The gymnasts are completely dedicated to their sport and are great role models for the younger children in the club."

Finalist: Barry Tae Kwon Do Club.

Senior Female: Nicole Cook. Nicole has dominated her sport of cycling for a number of years at a world level and this success has continued throughout 2001. She won three world championship events on differing biking terrains, which is unparalleled in cycling - the world mountain bike, trial bike and road race championships!

Nicole has the Commonwealth Games title in Manchester in her sights but is also aiming for gold in Athens at the 2004 Olympics. Her success has gained her Elite Cymru status and further recognition with her award as this year's BBC Wales Junior Sportswoman of the Year.

Club coach Roger Pratt said: "Despite Nicole's success she remains a well rounded and likeable young woman who is a credit to her sport."

Finalist: Rebecca Rowe (Jackson's Bay Surf Life Saving Club).

Senior Male: Jamie Sylvester. A member of Sully Centurions Cricket Club, Jamie has achieved fantastic levels of success at local and national level for a number of years. This continued last year with a staggering batting average of 197 in league cricket and an impressive haul of 27 wickets.

This achievement was instrumental in the club's promotion and they now stand only one division away from the top Welsh cricket league.

Jamie has also played more than 100 matches for Wales and has captained them on many occasions. In addition he is heavily involved in coaching young players and is a key member of the Glamorgan Coaching Association, helping to develop stars of the future.

Club chairman Dave Sylvester said: "Jamie has proved to be an excellent club captain and is also keen to develop his coaching skills to put something back into the sport he loves."

Finalist: Joseph Schembri (Barry Tae Kwon Do Club).

Senior Team: Penarth Lacrosse Club. After a long period of developing young players in local schools, the club is now reaping the rewards in its senior section, with the men's team achieving outstanding success during 2001. This culminated in promotion to the Second Division of the South of England Field Lacrosse League.

They competed against experienced and well-established teams from Hitchin to Southampton, and won the league as well as the league championship sixes tournament at Croydon.

This has resulted in the club gaining Premiership status to the National League in addition to four members being selected for the national squad which recently competed in the European Championships.

Team Manager Christine Schumack said: "The club is not only recognised as the leading lacrosse club of Wales, but because of continued success, one of the leading clubs in the UK."

Finalists: Barry Beavers Swimming Club and Llantwit Major Tae Kwon Do Club.

Senior Coach: Linda Gee. Gymnastics coach Linda has been at the forefront of developing her sport within Wales, and particularly Barry, for more than 25 years.

Throughout her coaching career, Linda has been based at the Barry YMCA where she has trained numerous Welsh internationals, including Commonwealth Games participants.

Her dedication and expertise has been recognised by the Welsh Amateur Gymnastics Association as she has been selected for Welsh team manager at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

Her inspirational coaching talent has resulted in four members of the current Barry YM being selected for this year's Commonwealth Games squad.

As the elite coach within the club, Linda and her gymnasts have had a very successful year in both the junior and senior Welsh championships and her gymnasts took individual gold and gained individual apparatus titles. Linda is presently coaching a British national squad member, has eight gymnasts in the Welsh squad and three in the Welsh Prep squad.

Club Coach Rachel Davies said: "Linda has a fantastic record of developing local gymnasts but she also devoted a great deal of time mentoring and supporting coaches, and helping to ensure a bright future for the sport."

Finalists: Gareth Harris (Jackson's Bay Surf Life Saving Club) and Jackie Carey (Barry Netball Club).

Special Achievement: Sarah Toshack. Penarth club gymnast Sarah, under the guidance of head coach Gwynedd Lingard, has been involved in the sport since she was five years old. During this time she has progressed to become Wales's most successful special needs gymnast.

At the British Championships this year she came second overall, winning three out of the four apparatus disciplines. Sarah also won silver at the European Championships and is currently training with the senior British squad and is very close to gaining full selection.

Coach Gwynedd Lingard said: "Sarah represents her club and country with great pride and dedication and has developed within the sporting domain which has had a positive impact in her everyday life."

Finalists: David Gill (Barry Amateur Swimming Club) and Joanna Davies (Cardiff Bay Yacht Club).

l Photographs from the event are available by contacting John O'Beirne, tel 01446 738823 and anyone requiring further information should contact Vale Sports Development Manager, Paul Nanji, tel 01446 704614.