Date: 09/11/2009
All eyes will be on Derby County FC's Pride Park stadium on Friday, November 13 when five winners of High Peak Sports Awards learn of their fate at a Derbyshire wide event.
Keeping their fingers crossed will be Glossop North End FC, young sports leader Christopher Rushworth, budding boxer Jack Massey, disabled basketball star Maddie Thompson, and stalwart sports teacher Jill Healey.
The quintet was among 14 winners at the recent High Peak awards organised by the Borough Council.
Glossop North End was named team of the year for reaching the FA Vase final at Wembley while Chris Rushworth lifted the young sports leader/coach of the year title for activities including helping organise a string of sports festivals for local primary schools, and officiating at the English Schools' Cross Country Championships.
Jack Massey, of Buxton Amateur Boxing Club, was voted junior sportsman of the year for being ranked number one nationally by the Amateur Boxing Association for his age and weight. His coaches are confident that he has the potential to represent Great Britain in the 2012 Olympics.
The title of junior disabled sportsperson of the year went to teenage basketball star Maddie Thompson, who helped Sheffield Steelers under 15s go undefeated all season in 2008/09. In April, she became the youngest ever member of the Great Britain women's team to compete in the BT Paralympics World Cup and, in August, was chosen for the Great Britain European squad. She now has her eyes set firmly on the London Olympics.
The honour of contribution to school sport was awarded to Jill Healey in recognition of 35 years' active membership of High Peak Sports' Association, representing schools in Chapel-en-le-Frith and New Mills. She has enabled children in her school and across High Peak to access sports coaching and competitions.
Andrew Bingham, Executive Councillor for Social and Community Development, presented the awards while Ben Price and Holly Knebel of High Peak Radio hosted the evening.
Said Councillor Bingham: "I'm always amazed at the depth and range of sporting talent that we have here in the High Peak. In addition to this, I admire the dedication of so many volunteers to nurture and encourage this talent. I will have our fingers crossed for all our nominees on Friday evening, hoping for success for them all".
The full list of honours is as follows.
Performance Coach of the Year: Hannah Jones
Club of the Year: Manor Park Bowling Club
Junior Team of the Year: Buxton Juniors FC Girls' under 15s
Disabled Sports Person of the Year: Vicky Leigh Marsh
Service to Sport: Jill Crossland
Contribution to School Sport: Jill Healey
Team of the Year: Glossop North End FC:
Junior Sportsman of the Year: Jack Massey
Young Sports Leader/Young Coach of the Year: Christopher Rushworth
Junior Sportswoman of the Year: Emily Allsopp
Sportsperson of the Year: James Machon
Community Coach of the Year: David Collier
Disability Sports Team of the Year: High Peak Sharks
Junior Disabled Sportsperson of the Year: Maddie Thompson