AN EXCEPTIONAL YEAR

The local sports body recognised the achievements of Sally Brown, Alan Campbell, Peter and Richard Chambers in London this summer. The Sports Council echoed the sentiments of the people of Coleraine whose pride in the quartet was there for all to see.

Alan Campbell’s mother Jennifer, who picked up the award on her son’s behalf, said the support from back home inspired all the Olympians.

“I know that made the difference for Alan and helped spur him on to win the medal and I’m sure it was the same for Peter, Richard and Sally too,” she said.

Sports Council Chairman, John Wilson, hailed their achievements but called on more young people to get involved in sport.

“We are very fortunate to have so much sporting talent in this borough,” he said. “Especially as we have produced four Olympians this year of whom we are so proud. Our sports men and women have to push themselves to the limit to reach their goal, but they have to start somewhere and that’s were the rest of us come in.

“The average age of people who organise sport is getting older so we need to encourage more young people to get involved. They are the future of sport.”

The Mayor of Coleraine, Councillor Sam Cole, said it was an ‘exceptional year’ of sport.

“It has been an exceptional year for sport in the borough and I am delighted that we are able to recognise it tonight,” said Cllr Cole.

It was a great night for Bann Rowing club for whom Geoff Bones was named Coach of the Year.

And the club received a major financial boost as they were awarded the Harry Gregg Bursary. Club captain, Keith Leighton said the funds would

provide a major boost for the club as they try and cater for their growing membership.

“We are a victim of our own success as the more members we have then the more wear and tear the boats get,” said Keith.

“The club is going from strength to strength and this money will greatly benefit us.”

Unsurprisingly golf also featured very highly on the winners list. The Sportsman of the Year award was won by British Amateur Champion Alan Dunbar. And it was a golfing double as Royal Portrush woman Stephanie Meadows picked up the Sportswoman of the Year award.

There was another award for Royal Portrush as the Ladies Senior Cup team, who defeated Kilkenny in the All Ireland Finals, were named Team of the Year. Coleraine Ladies Hockey Club Second XI picked up the Highly Commended award.

This year’s inductee to the Hall of Fame was involved in many sports but is probably best known for his work with the Causeway Coast Charity Showjumping over the last 25 years.

Billy Roulston has helped raised thousands of pounds for charity with his work down the years as well as being a founder member of the RDA.

The Chairman’s Award was presented to Alistair Bratten of Springwell Athletic Club.

In the School of the Year award both Cullcapple PS and Coleraine Inst were Highly Commended, but the award went to Coleraine High School.

There was three Highly Commended winners in the Coach of the Year category - Keith Ferguson (Coleraine Swimming Club), Daniel McCauley (Coleraine Rugby Club) and Seamus Reynolds (Bann Rowing Club).

The award went to another Bann stalwart, girls coach Geoff Bones.

In the Club of the Year ward category Bann Rowing Club and Valdez Gymnastic Club were Highly Commended with the award going to Coleraine Judo Club.

Coleraine Football Club were celebrating an awards double as Aaron Mullan was named Sports Administrator of the Year for his work on the Coleraine FC website.

And Andy Alcorn, who is CFC Academy Chairman and one of the founders of the NW&CDYL, won the Services to Sport award. Karate stalwart Dan Redmond was Highly Commended.

Talented horse rider Stephen Yetman was the winner of the Sportsperson with a Disability award.

A total of eight young women were nominated in the Junior Sportswoman of the Year category. In the end it was whittled down to three with Lucy Lamont (dressage equestrian) and Brook Edgar (Bann Rowing Club picking up Highly Commended certificates.

The award went to hockey star Katie Mullan, who is joint captain of the Ulster U18 team which won the Interpro series and led Ireland to a Home Nations win in July before going on to make her senior Ireland debut.

There was three very talented young sportsmen nominated for the Junior Sportsman of the Year award. World Surf kayaking champion Andy McClelland and swimmer James Richardson were Highly Commended.

The winner was cricket all-rounder Scott Campbell who enjoyed a memorable year with Coleraine Firsts averaging 47 with the bat before heading off with Ireland Under-19s at the ICC World Cup.

In the Junior Sports Team both Valdez Gymnastics Club and the Route Hunt Branch of the Pony Club were Highly Commended. The winners though have enjoyed success both at home and abroad in rowing. Chris Black and Joel Cassells became the first junior crew to win an Irish senior championship which they followed up with another gold at the Junior Internationals in Germany.

Volleyball players Hannah Witheroe and Nichola Cochrane were Highly Commended in the Most Promising Sportsperson category. Coleraine Inst swimmer, James Richardson, who has represented both Ulster and Ireland, was the winner though.

Three young sports people were in the running for the Harry McCormick Bursary in the end the judges went for Lucy Lamont.

The Jim Watt Bursary was presented to Surf Kayaker Andy McClelland.