Derby Sports Awards Winners 2009
Derby's Sports Awards recognise and celebrate the sporting success of local athletes and those involved in sport at all levels.
People in Derby have been nominating their sporting heroes, for dedication, achievement or outstanding commitment to their sport. A panel of judges from Sport and Leisure, School Sports Partnership, Derbyshire Sport and local clubs have chosen the Derby Sports Award Winners for 2009.
This year each winner will receive a grant to help them, their team or club continue to perform, support and develop sport in Derby. Individual winners will receive £300, the Team and Junior Team of the Year will each win £500 and the Club of the Year will receive £1,000.
All the Derby winners will represent Derby at the Derbyshire Sports Awards to be held at Pride Park in November 2009.
The winners are:
Junior Sportsman of the Year – Sam Lowe
Sam has displayed true dedication to his sport in the past year; Sam has become U14 National Cyclo Cross Champion, National Series winner for the U14 age group and is now the current U15 Cyclo Cross Champion and National Series Champion. Sam is ranked number one for his sport in Great Britain.
Junior Sportswoman of the Year – Charlotte Caunt
Charlotte is a two-time gold medallist at international level in gymnastics. She has also won gold medals at Level 2 and 3 gymnastics this year. When she won the award, Charlotte told us:
"A very big thank you to all your team for voting me in the winner of this award. Next month I am competing in Russia in the World tumbling gymnastics championships. The £300 prize money you gave me is going towards paying for the competition. Also on Saturday 17 October I will be bag packing at Sainburys at Kingsway alongside Greg Townley and Antony Colder who I train with and are also competing in Russia with me. This is a fund raiser to help pay for our costs. So a big thank you to all of you at Derby sports."
Sportsperson of the Year - Mark Gregory
Mark is the current British number one in Power Lifting. Mark won bronze medals at the World Junior Championships and European Championships this year. Mark is looking forward to the Open World Championships in India this year where he hopes for more success.
Disabled Sportsperson of the Year – Ricky Blampied
Ricky has been at the top of his sport throughout this year. In the Regional gymnastic competition he won one gold, one silver and three bronze medals. He then went on to represent Derby at the Special Olympics in Leicester where he won total of six gold medals.
Veteran Sportsperson of the Year – Lesley Sturgess
Lesley has represented England over 45 women category in squash this year, winning all of her games. She also won the women’s national racketball championships in both over 45 and over 50 categories. Lesley was a semi-finalist at the British Open this year and has regularly represented Derbyshire Women’s 1st team.
Junior Team of the Year – Derby Trailblazers U18 Team
Derby Trailblazers U18 Team achievements include winning the finals of the U18 English Basketball League in May this year and the Premier North U18 League. The team also includes three England internationals amongst its players.
Team of the Year – Viking Canoe Polo ‘A’ Team
Viking Canoe Polo ‘A’ Team became National League Champions and National Cup Champions this year, doing the double for the first time. Four of the team have been selected to represent Great Britain in 2009.
Club of the Year – Derby Athletic Club
Over the past year Derby Athletic Club has continued a fantastic level of engagement with the community of Derby. The club caters for all ages and abilities, from young people through to masters. The club can boast 450 members and a very strong volunteer base of 70 people. In the past year the club have made significant contribution to school sport and have developed athletes from over 50 schools.
Performance Coach of the Year – Tim Lascelles
Tim is the coach of Derby Trailblazers U18 squad that finished last season with double honours at national level. He has coached the England U18 squad over the past 12 months. He has a “never say die” attitude and is extremely good at motivating his players and always challenges them to be the best.
Community Coach of the Year – Jane Frost, Sarah Bunting, Sarah Fisher
The trio of Jane, Sarah and Sarah have continued to develop girls’ cricket over the past year. They have successfully developed Spondon Girls’ section to become one of the leading clubs in the county for girls’ cricket. Their hard work in forging strong partnerships with local primary and secondary schools to engage girls in cricket activity has really paid off. Spondon CC is now a leading club for the development of girls’ cricket.
Young Leader/Young Coach of the Year - Lauren Slater
Lauren is in her second year at Derby College and has been volunteering in sports clubs and at sports competitions. Her passion is her dance club, Derwent Zambezi Club, where she delivers dance alongside organising the running of the club. She has shown great dedication and maturity in doing this at such a young age and is a fantastic role model for all young people. When Lauren won the award, she said:
"The money will pay for my flights to America where I will be attending a coaching camp so this is absolutely great, thank you so much!"
Service to Sport – Roger Harrison
Roger has supported basketball at Derby Trailblazers for several years. He is a qualified international referee and is one of only a few people in England who can officiate at European level. He is responsible for arranging officials for matches and helping out at training sessions. Roger acts as a tutor to young officials and also provides mentoring to young people to help them improve. Roger is a shining example of hard work done by volunteers in sport.
For more information on the Derby Sports Awards contact the b-active team on 01332 641243.
For more information on the Derbyshire Sports Awards telephone 01773 748907 or visit www.derbyshiresport.co.uk. 
For details of the 2008 Derby Sports Awards winners visit the 2008 Winners page.