The ‘Sports Development Awards’ is an annual scheme, run by East Sussex County Council, that encourages and supports sporting achievements among 11–18 year olds across the county. In total, over 200 awards were presented, including money to help with their sporting ambitions.
Wednesday’s event was also a celebration of the scheme’s 10th anniversary and over £12,000 was distributed, supported by East Sussex County Council’s Children’s Services Department, the Chairman of the County Council, the Friday Ad and the University of Brighton (Falmer and Chelsea School sites).
Rupert Simmons, Lead Cabinet Member for Learning and School Effectiveness, said: “The point of these Sports Development Awards is to really celebrate the sporting success of these young people and acknowledge their efforts and commitment in achieving that success. I would also like to acknowledge the remarkable contribution made by the coaches and teaching staff, who put so much time and effort into making these programmes available.”
The Sports Development Awards recognise those 11–18 year olds who are members of National, Regional or County Development Squads and in certain instances, where they have performed at national or regional levels. In addition there are ‘Team’, ‘Teacher/Coach’, and ‘Sports Leader’ Awards, as well as 11 ‘Chairman’s Awards’ which single out individuals of particular merit. These were presented by Chairman of the County Council, John Barnes and Sarah Hogg presented four special ‘University of Brighton Awards’.
Champion triathlete, Olly Freeman, was the sporting personality guest for the evening, presenting many of the awards and staying on to mix with many of the winners and pose for photographs.
Councillor Meg Stroude, Lead Member for Children and Families, Matt Dunkley, County Council Director of Children’s Services and Rob Paterson, Managing Director of the Friday Ad were also at the event.
The Sports Development Awards recognise success and achievement across a wide variety of sports from archery to athletics, badminton to bowls, and trampolining to tennis and many, many more, including athletics, equestrian, hockey, rugby, football, cricket and swimming.
Notes to editors
The 11 winners of the ‘Chairman’s Award for High Achievement’ were:
- Jacob Corke (National, Judo), Claverham Community College
- Beverley Stevens (National, Archery), The Causeway School
- Philip Glazbrook (Regional, Hockey), St Richard's Catholic College
- Patrick Hough (Regional, Triathlon), Chailey School
- Natasha Maharaj-Newman (Regional, Cricket), Helenswood School
- Sarah Moore (Regional, Athletics), Hailsham Community College
- Jemma Fowler (County, Rugby), Uckfield Community Technology College
- William Harrington (County, Badminton), Bexhill High School
- Jago Leckie (County, Cross Country), Ringmer Community College
- Sarah Penney (County, Swimming), Robertsbridge Community College
- Matt Shepherd (CSLA), William Parker Sports College.
The four University of Brighton Award winners were:
- Nicola Boniface, a national sailor from Willingdon Community School
- Natasha Forbes, a national tennis player from Beacon Community College
- James Kirby, a world transplant games competitor from The Cavendish School
- Jack Stonehouse, a community sports leader from Seaford Head Community College.
The schools involved were as follows:
- Beacon Community College
- Bexhill High School
- Bishop Bell CE School
- The Causeway School
- The Cavendish School
- Chailey School
- Claverham Community College
- Filsham Valley School
- The Grove
- Hailsham Community College
- Heathfield Community College
- Helenswood School
- Hillcrest School
- Peacehaven Community School
- Priory School
- Ratton School
- Ringmer Community College
- Robertsbridge Community College
- Seaford Head Community College
- St Richard's Catholic College
- Tideway School
- Uckfield Community Technology College
- Uplands Community College
- William Parker Sports College
- Willingdon Community School.
Reference:
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