Local sporting achievements were celebrated last night at Wicksteed Park for the Kettering Sports Awards 2019! Here are the local sporting heroes who won and were nominated by the public.
Congratulations to everyone involved!
COMMUNITY CLUB OF THE YEAR: Kettering Cycling Club Cyclones
Cyclones has grown to over 100 members in its 6 years in existence. The club now has 10 qualified coaches, two of whom are only 16. Grant funding has been successfully applied for meaning that Cyclones can compete on suitable race bikes at all levels. Cyclones have 5 young people on the British Cycling Regional School of Racing Development pathways; 6 young people competing at National level in closed circuit racing and 8 competing at National level in cyclocross. The club also offer weekly family rides. The club has two cohorts of British Cycling Young Volunteers, two of whom were the youngest ever BC qualified coaches at age 14. Cyclones work to support local charities, raising £300 for a local charity by
collecting car parking charges at their cross race.
Nominees: Burton Park Wanderers FC, Hawks FC and Kettering RFC (U13 girls – The Bluebells).
Presented by Louise Preedy and Amelia Davey from Cransley Hospice.
COMMUNITY ORGANISATION/GROUP OF THE YEAR: Desborough Green Space Junior Parkrun
Desborough Green Space Junior Parkrun (DGSJP) aims to tackle inactivity and provide social and volunteering opportunities. The event is a free, weekly 2km run for 4-14 year olds, helping to address the rise in school children being classified as overweight or obese in Desborough. The DGSJP team secured over £5k in funding and provided safeguarding and first aid training to volunteers. Key volunteers have also attended guide running training and autism awareness. Less-active groups such as girls and disabled children have had a higher percentage of female runners over the time of running the events than boys. Since launching in April 2019, 387 different children have run over 1600 times alongside 180 volunteers who have come forward to support.
Nominees: Kettering Parkrun and SheCan…Run.
Presented by Luke Waterfield from Groundwork.
YOUNG VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Dominik Cusk
Dominik has been assistant coach for the men’s 3rd/4th team for the last 2 years while playing for the men’s first team and, in the last year, has worked closely with the club’s junior goalkeepers. This has involved implementing his own drills and activities, showing creativity and dedication to these sessions. Dominik has passed his level 1 umpiring qualification and regularly umpires for senior teams on Saturdays, junior teams on Sundays and mixed teams as part of the summer league. He also spent 3 days umpiring at the international over 75’s tournament despite a broken arm. Dominik has been a great advocate for hockey at his school, Brooke Weston Academy, helping to run PE sessions and strengthening the pathway to club hockey. Dominik is a great ambassador for both club and hockey as a sport, acting as a role model for other youngsters to aspire to.
Nominees: Charlie Stockham.
Presented by Debbie Egan from Kettering Futures Partnership.
COMMUNITY COACH/ACTIVATOR OF THE YEAR: Simon Aston
Simon launched the Kettering FC Ladies team in 2012 and over the past twelve months has affiliated two disability teams to the county FA at U12 and U16 levels. His commitment has seen him launch regular weekly sessions for both age groups at the club’s ground in Kettering. The teams are now supported by over 20 players with a wide range of disabilities. Players are made to feel welcome and comfortable in their football environment – most would otherwise never have the chance to participate. Simon still oversees most of the club’s youth and girl’s squads. He also contributes his time to coach young people on behalf of the County FA, offering his time for
sessions for players with Cerebral Palsy and Downs Syndrome.
Nominees: Lewis Boyall, Emily James, Gemma Simms, Howard Farrow and Benjamin Collins.
Presented by Hazel Webb from Kettering Borough Council.
COMMUNITY CHAMPION/VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Gareth Edwards
Gareth has been with Kettering Town Cricket Club for 15 years even though he doesn’t play cricket. His most significant contribution is in helping to prepare the pitches week in, week out, coming to the ground on at least two evenings a week straight from work throughout the summer. He has showed himself to be a very skilled groundsman, helping to produce high quality pictures for around 90 matches each season. Gareth does not expect any acknowledgement for all this work, with many people unaware of the amount of time given by him, always prepared to help no matter what the situation. Nothing is ever too much trouble for Gareth. He has shown himself to be reliable with a wide range of practical skills, is well liked and an integral part of the social side of the club.
Nominees: Rob Parkes, Mike Annable, Nicola Cebak and John Duggan.
Presented by Sean Silver from Groundwork.
SPORT SCHOOL OF THE YEAR: Greenfields Primary School
Children of Greenfields have had the opportunity to experience sports within the curriculum and after school. This included new sports Boccia, handball, goal ball and New age Kurling, Karate and Fencing. Staff have used these sports to run a weekly lunchtime club to encourage pupils with impairment, disability and low self-esteem to participate. Club members helped to lead sports during a ‘modern sports festival’. Children can compete against other schools, year 1 representing the district in the New age Kurling county finals and year 3/4 hockey representing Kettering at the level 3 School Sports Games. Volunteers play-leaders were trained to deliver games with younger children, developing leadership skills and confidence. A Health & Wellbeing day was organised which saw all children participate in exercise, with KS2 having a session on healthy eating. Parents joined in a Zumba session to raise money for MIND. Greenfields were awarded the Schools Sports Mark – Gold award in July.
Nominees: Bishop Stopford School, St Mary’s Church of England Primary Academy – Burton Latimer, Compass Primary Academy, St Mary’s CEVA Primary School – Kettering, and Kettering Buccleuch Academy.
Presented by Paul Smith from Kettering School Sports Development.
GET ACTIVE AWARD: Simon Ingram
Simon was diagnosed with the degenerative neurological condition of Parkinson’s disease in 2003 at the age of 36. For Simon, physical activity was always something he knew was important in helping his. In 2018, while watching Match of the Day a feature on walking football got him searching for a session in Kettering. He has become a regular attendee over the past year, from falling in his very first session to since scoring some incredible volleyed goals. Both Simon’s physical and mental health has improved and he has established himself as a key member of the walking football community. Walking football has helped Simon rediscover his love of watching football and as a result has bought tickets for his club, QPR. Simon has helped a friend start a new charity, Parkinson’s People Northants and is writing a book about living with the condition which he hopes will help inspire and educate others about the disease.
Nominees: Desborough Walking Football Club and Kettering Arena Walking Football Club.
Presented by Georgina Stewart from Kettering Park Hotel and Spa.
DISABLED SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR: Bruce Dee
Bruce has had another great year and is continuing to develop into a fantastic para–swimmer with his times and results showing continuous improvement. His main results and achievements are 6 gold medals in the S6 category at the Activity Alliance & Swim England National Winter Para–Swimming Championships in Manchester; 4th place in the mixed classification open age 50m Butterfly British Final at the British Para – Swimming International
Meet in Glasgow; high placings in the mixed classification open age categories at the Swim England National Summer Championships in Sheffield; 7 gold medals in the S6 category alongside 2 gold and 3 bronze medals in the mixed category at the National Junior Para–Swimming Championships.
Nominees: Chris Gray, Dermot Bailey and Kieran Rollings.
Presented by Wicksteed Park.
YOUNG SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR: Harvey Freeman
The highlight of last season for Harvey was his performances at the GB Summer Championships where he won Gold 50m Breaststroke; Silver 100m Breaststroke; Bronze 400 Individual Medley; Bronze 200m Breaststroke and Bronze 200 Individual Medley. Harvey was part of the Northampton Swimming Club Men’s 800m Freestyle team that finished 5th and Men’s 400 Medley relay that finished 4th. In 2019 Harvey has broken 11 county records, currently joint top of the Northamptonshire ASA county record breakers table. Harvey is always on hand to help younger athletes and gives 100% to everything he does to improve his swimming skills. He has represented the East Midland Region at the McCullagh International Meet in Northern Ireland and been part of the Swim England Phase 2 Development Camps. In April 2019 Harvey qualified for the British Championships and World Championship trials in Glasgow.
Nominees: Robert Taylor, Alfie Spencer, Harlee Patrick Hooker, Ellis Panter, Logan Reid and James Annable.
Presented by Mat Tilley from Legacy Leisure.
YOUNG SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR: Lily Carlaw
Lily competes at both Shotput and Discus and is currently U15G No1 in the UK in both events. She is Midland Counties Shot Indoor
Champion and 1st in the UK, while also setting a new PB with the 5th best all time UK throw at the England Athletics U15 / U17 National Indoor Championships. Lily became County Championships double champion, taking gold in both Shot and Discus, breaking the championship record and being awarded Best Female County Performance trophy for the 3rd consecutive year. She set a Discus PB to take the UK lead and broke the 1988 Northants Schools record in Shot. In the Mason Trophy Lily helped Northamptonshire junior girls to come 1st in the Field events. In August, Lily competed in the U15/U17 England Athletics National Championships placing second in Shot and winning discus Lily with a PB almost 4m clear of the second place.
Nominees: Kallie Walker, Amelia Cebak, Katie Gibson, Cynthia Ike, Harriet Drake-Lee, Emily Batchelor, Keris Lilly Hooker, Lucy Parker and Alice Bennett.
Presented by Sally Mills Personal Training.
LOCAL SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR: Chris Gray
Chris has had a fantastic year at the bowls club becoming a regular member of the county Middleton Cup trophy team putting him in the top 24 of the county bowlers and alongside current England team members. This is a highly competitive team game which culminates at the national finals in August. Chris also regularly plays for the county in Midland county games. During the outdoor season Chris secured the Disability Bowls England men’s pairs trophy, the 2nd time he has held this title. Chris also qualified for the Bowls England national finals for the first time. Chris’ greatest achievement this year was being selected as one of the 12 bowlers to represent England at the Inaugural LBIBIS Munro Cup. The cup is for bowlers with learning difficulties and was contested between England, Wales & Scotland at Falkirk, Scotland. Two days of matches, with bowlers playing a combination of singles, pairs and triples, saw the cup being lifted by the England team. Chris played a vital part in the team’s success, scoring maximum points for England by winning both of his singles matches and both of his triples matches.
Presented by Cllr Scott Edwards, Portfolio Holder for Community & Leisure.
LIFETIME CONTRIBUTION TO SPORT: Roger Pringle
Roger has supported local cricket in many ways over a career dating back to the 1950’s. Roger started playing in the Kettering town league before moving to Corby as a successful all-rounder. He reconsidered retiring from the game in the mid 80’s instead joining Kettering Town Cricket Club where he Captained and ran the Sunday team. He hung up his spikes in 1995 and became an umpire, travelling all over Northants to officiate with honesty, integrity and a placid nature respected by players. Some ill health unfortunately prevented Roger from continuing as an umpire but in 2011 he took up the pen to become the club’s scorer. This demonstrates Roger’s love for the game and his extended support towards its administration. Now in his late 70’s Roger continues in this capacity. In 2013 Roger donated Kettering Cricket Club its first electronic scorebox, a project that would have cost the club thousands of pounds to procure and install. He was subsequently presented with KTCC’s clubman of the year award.
Nominees: Shashikant Dharshi Dholakia and Claire Simms.
Presented by Gary Sheppard from Northamptonshire Sport.
SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR: Simon Ingram
Congratulations to Simon Ingram for winning the Arthur Nicholson Award for Kettering’s Sports Personality of the Year on top of his Get Active award! A truly inspirational man who has had a fantastic year, these accolades are thoroughly deserved!
Presented by The Mayor of the Borough of Kettering, Cllr Keli Watts.
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An open farm and garden centre based around a working family farm in Desborough. You’ll find a variety of farm animals, 3 miles of nature trails and 70 acres of conservation award winning farmland containing interactive sculptures. ![\"\"](\"https://thisiskettering.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Capture-2-300x153.jpg\")
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Starting in 2012 on the beautiful family farm, the Warner\’s Distillery in Harrington began with the things that matter most and a dream to save the world from mediocre gin. Here you will find an array of unique and flavoursome gins made with the freshest ingredients.![\"\"](\"https://thisiskettering.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/54258311_2112958308741924_7886733550974664704_o-300x153.jpg\")
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Stefanie Jayne\’s are a small independent boutique founded in May 2015 in Mawsley, offering dresses for all occasions for women wanting a more personal shopping experience.
