Town honours its sporting stars of 2010 tomorrow night

The 13th annual Ballymena Sports Awards ceremony will be held tomorrow (Wednesday) evening, January 26.

The glittering event - held in the sumptuous surroundings of the Braid Town Hall complex - will once again be compered by the Ballymena-born BBC sports presenter Jackie Fullerton, who lists the function as one of his favourite events each year.

A selection panel met last month to choose the winners in the various categories, delving through a bumper entry of nominations, from a vast array of sporting codes and disciplines.

“This year’s entry was similar to the previous year, which was a record,” said Ballymena Borough Council Sports Development Officer Katrina McCaughan.

“Both the number of entries and the number of different sports nominated illustrate how highly the awards are thought of and the credibility which they enjoy among the local sporting community.

“From speaking to winners in previous years, it’s clear how much it means to them to be recognised in their own hometown,” added Katrina.

Mayor Maurice Mills will outline the important part played by sport in the well-being of the borough and will also thank the generous sponsors involved in making the event possible.

Prizes will be distributed in the following categories:

Junior Sportsperson

Adult Sportsperson

Coach of Year

Team of the Year

Services to Sport

Sporting Performance of the Year

Sportsperson/team with a Disability

School Performance of the Year

Sporting Hall of Fame

Des Allen Athletics Bursary - £500 bursary for talented junior athletes (track & field)

Full coverage from the event will appear in next week’s Ballymena Times.