Celebrations at Sports Personality of the Year Awards

IRISH International Triathlon Star, Aileen Morrison, won the Draynes Farms Lisburn Sports Personality of the Year Awards at the gala dinner held at the Island Civic Centre. Aileen, a member of Maryland Wheelers Cycling Club and Lisburn Swimming Club, is 7th in the International Triathlete Union rankings and represented Ireland at the Olympics.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Oct 2012, 16:40 BST

This year she has already won silver medals at the World Triathlon Championships in Madrid and the World Cup in Ishigaki. Aileen edged out International Swimmer Bethany Carson and Irish Hockey International Jonathan Bell. These awards were presented by Michael Drayne from Draynes Farms, sponsors of the event.
In the Coach of the Year category, Regina Millen from Laganside Netball Club and Friends’ School, was the 2012 winner, after another successful season with Club and School teams.
Chairman of Leisure Services, Councillor Thomas Beckett, presented the Junior Sports Personality award. This was the hardest category for the Sport Lisburn Committee to pick, with many worthy contenders. Rachel Bethel from Lisburn Swimming Club won the award after gaining British, Irish and Ulster age-group titles in numerous events. Second was Zelie Gallagher from Hazama Judo Club and third Caragh Milligan, the youngest player ever to represent NI at Football.
Chairman of the Council’s Leisure Services Committee congratulated all the winners and sport Lisburn for a wonderful year of Sport in the City.

“All of tonight’s recipients have represented Lisburn and their chosen sport at the highest level. Their successes are testament to their hard work and many hours of training each week. These athletes make many sacrifices in the pursuit of excellence and the sport Lisburn Awards publicly reward their efforts.

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“Congratulations to Sport Lisburn and all the Award and bursary winners. I look forward to following their continued successes in the week and years to come,” said Councillor Beckett.

Club of the Year awards were presented by Deputy Mayor, Councillor Margaret Tolerton and won by Salto Gymnastics Club after another successful year, highlighted by the visit of the Chinese Olympic Gymnastic Team for pre-Olympic training. Dundrod & District Motorcycle Club was second, having organised the ‘fastest road race in the world’, the Ulster Grand Prix, and third was the rapidly developing Judo Academy.

Other category winners were Friends’ Badminton team in the Schools’ section, with its Netball Team second and Friends’ Prep Boys Swimming Relay Team third. The Junior Club Team of the Year was won by Hazama Judo Club; second was City of Lisburn Athletics Club and third Lisnagarvey Hockey Club U15 Boys.
The Merit Award, which highlights the hard work and dedication of people behind the scenes, was presented to Alison Slater from Lisburn Gladiators Fencing Club by special guest, Dr Janet Gray MBE. Alison has been instrumental in the development of the Club, both encouraging coaches as well bringing on many participants to international standard.
Senior Team of the Year, presented by the Vice-Chairman of Leisure Services, Alderman Paul Porter, was won by Lisnagarvey Hockey Club’s Men’s 1st XI after being crowned All Ireland Champions and winning the Kirk Cup. Second were Lisburn Swimming Club Women’s Relay Team and third ever-improving Lisburn Ladies Football Club.
The Draynes Farms Lisburn Sports Awards evening was a great success, with over 200 people attending. The event was hosted by BBC’s Denise Watson with special guest speaker Olympic Silver Medal winning rower Richard Chambers. Richard gave a blow by blow account of the final of the Coxless Fours which still had everyone on the edge of their seats, despite knowing what the result was.

At the end of the evening Denise and Richard posed for photographs with all the winning teams and individuals, with everyone wanting a touch of the Olympic Medal.