Shropshire's sporting stars honoured at Energize Awards

Javelin legend Tessa Sanderson, who famously struck gold for Britain at the Los Angeles games in 1984 and won three Commonwealth titles, was the guest of honour at the seventh annual Energize Awards, held at Shrewsbury Town Football Club''s Greenhous Meadow.

A former sports development officer at Telford Development Corporation, she gave an insight into her sporting psychology, revealed how she was inspired to greatness by the likes of Muhammad Ali, Dame Mary Peters and sprinter Sonia Lannaman, and explained how she had set up her own foundation to create a unique inner city youth sport programme for youngsters.

But last night was all about crowning Shropshire's own sporting champions.

And it was a particularly good night for the Telford rugby scene, with awards for its Raiders and Hornets, and the organisers of the town's Rugby Life programme.

Telford Raiders was named Senior Team of the Year. Over the past four years it has gone from strength to strength, reaching the final of the Midlands rugby league division one play-offs in 2010 and then winning in 2011 and 2012.

This year has been its most successful, winning the higher level Midlands premier division.

Telford Hornets under-14s picked up the Junior Team of the Year trophy on the back of a fantastic season, the highlight being winning the regional JP Morgan Premiership Rugby Sevens Cup, the most prestigious festival for under-14s, held at the 12 Premiership rugby clubs across the whole country.

And Telford Rugby Life was voted best Community Project. Three coaches at Telford Hornets created the programme which targeted boys in years 10 and 11 at school that were either in exclusion or exhibiting behavioural problems, turning them into a rugby team and teaching them the core values of rugby; respect, discipline and teamwork.

Rob Massam, who has been a member of the Welsh squad at the current rugby league World Cup, continued the rugby-dominated success, winning the Sports Person of the Year award.

He joined Oswestry Rugby Club eight years ago and was named player of the year for four successive seasons. In 2010, he decided to try rugby league with North Wales Crusaders, and after lifting multiple awards in his first season, he earned his first International cap for Wales last year.

Shrewsbury Amateur Swimming Club made a big splash by winning the Community Club of the Year prize.

The club delivers coaching to young people and adults and, over the last five years, under the guidance of a new head coach and committee, has blossomed.

Last year one of its swimmers, Gemma Almond, represented Great Britain at the Paralympics.

One of the Shrewsbury club's stalwarts, Amy Carter, was also named Young Volunteer of the Year.

The 18-year-old has given over 500 hours of her time in the past four years, helping to coach younger squad members and giving up weekends to manage teams at junior galas.

For the last two years she has been the club captain.

The Coach of the Year trophy went to Kevin Humphreys, who has led Shifnal Cricket Club's junior section for around 20 years.

He organises coaching for over 100 boys and girls and mentored many of the Shifnal club's young, successful coaches.

Jake Watson, also from east Shropshire, was Young Sports Person of the Year.

The 12-year-old excels at national level in two sports – gymnastics and athletics. In the latter, he is currently ranked 12th in Great Britain for under-13 75 metre hurdles, and is the West Midlands indoor standing triple jump champion where he competes one age group above his own.

He competed in the National Elite British Gymnastics Level 5 Competition over the weekend, finishing fourth overall, putting him in pole position for a place in the Great Britain squad.

The Active Lifestyles prize was awarded to Deja McGowan of Telford. The eight-year-old has an eye condition which means she reads and writes using braille, but refuses to let her sight problems prevent her from being active.

This year she expressed an interest in running cross-country races, and with the help of a sighted guide, has now completed four races. She has also taken up swimming, and boccia.

Charles Sievewright, who has been involved in golf for over 20 years and is chairman of junior golf for Shropshire and Herefordshire, picked up the Volunteer of the Year trophy, Morris Lubricants of Shrewsbury was named Employer of the Year for its long standing support of the Shropshire and Mid Wales sporting scene, Severn Gems Netball Club, based in Shrewsbury, was voted Newcomer of the Year, and four Shropshire school heads – Alan Derry from Sundorne Infant School in Shrewsbury, Dominic Bradburne from Idsall School in Shifnal and Neil Stonehouse of Phoenix Academy in Dawley and Richard Thorpe from Grange Park School in Stirchely, Telford – were all honoured for their roles in helping to make this year's School Games such a success.

The final award of the night, for Outstanding Contribution To Sport And Physical Activity in Shropshire, was awarded to Peter Thompson from the Wenlock Olympian Society.

Carl Jones, Shropshire Star assistant editor, who was last night's master of ceremonies, told the audience: "It goes to a man who started giving back to the local sporting scene in the 1970s, when he became coach for the Wenlock Olympians Athletics Club.

"In recognition of his work encouraging people to take part in grass roots sport, he was elected secretary of the Wenlock Olympian Society in 2000.

"He has been the society's inspiration and driving force, a central cog in the organisation of the annual Wenlock Olympian Games. After 13 years of sterling service, spreading the word about William Penney Brookes and Shropshire's Olympic legacy, he is stepping down from his secretarial role at the forthcoming annual meeting.

"So what better time to recognise him for his tireless dedication and achievement?"

Mr Thompson said: "It is absolutely amazing, and I am very excited to receive this. There are so many volunteers here tonight working hard for sport in this county."

The awards, organised by Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, were supported by the Shropshire Star for a fourth year. Energize chief executive Chris Child said: "Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin are home to a number of very talented sports people who deserve recognition for their achievements.

"However, there is also excellent work happening behind the scenes to help people to be more active, regardless of their background or ability.

"The Energize Awards are an opportunity to recognise and thank the people who are contributing to this as well."

Energize chairman Steve Peters, added: "London 2012 has been and gone, but there is no better time to be celebrating sporting achievement and thanking those who drive the county's Olympic and Paralympic legacy forward every day.

"At grassroots level, we rely heavily on the community clubs, coaches and volunteers that work tirelessly to not only nurture the next generation of sports stars, but to make physical activity more accessible for everyone.

"Our finalists represented a small sample of the excellence we have in the county, delivering sport at all levels and abilities."