MANSFIELD'S year of sport was celebrated at the 2012 Mansfield Sports Recognition Awards on Monday.
The annual ceremony, organised by Mansfield District Council's Sports Development team in association with The Armchair Club, recognised the District's best teams, coaches, volunteers, sportsmen and sportswomen. Awards were made in adult, junior and disability categories.
A range of sports were featured, including swimming, martial arts, athletics, cricket and rugby. Swimmer Rebecca Adlington led the way by being crowned as Mansfield Sportsperson of the Year for the third time.
Rebecca started the year becoming national champion, before winning a Bronze Medal in both the 400m and 800m freestyle events at the London 2012 Olympic Games. She is now the most successful British swimmer to compete at the Olympic Games.
Disabled Sportsperson of the Year went to Oliver Hynd after his success at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, which saw him take the Gold Medal in the SM8 200m Individual Medley in a new European record. He also took the Silver in the S8 400m freestyle and Bronze in the S8 100m backstroke event. Ollie is now the most successful GB male swimmer to take part in the Paralympics.
Mansfield Rugby Club's men's first team capped a memorable twelve months by being named as team of the year. They won the Nottinghamshire County Cup for an unprecedented 17th time and also finished 5th place in the National League 3 - the highest level that any rugby club in the Mansfield area has achieved. Mansfield Rugby Club also won the Club of the Year award.
Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Nicola Grounds for her tireless work in helping to organise Mansfield parkruns - a free 5km run held every Saturday.
In the junior section, Junior Sportsperson of the Year went to Bailey Lowe for her outstanding achievements in karate, while Junior Disabled Sportsperson of the Year went to Benjamin Blore for his impressive progress in martial arts.
Junior Sportsleader of the Year was won by Jordan Hodson and Junior Team of the Year went to Oak Tree Primary Girls Cricket team, who this year have won County, Regional and National championships.
Ted Grey was awarded Coach of the Year, after winning the Coaching Award at the East Midlands Athletics Regional Awards, as well as the England Athletics National Volunteers Award for services to coaching.
The Mayor's Special Achievement Award went to Glenn Smith for his services to swimming coaching in the District. Glenn was recognised for his hard work and dedication to the athletes at Nova Centurion and Paralympic medallists Ollie Hynd and Charlotte Henshaw at the London 2012 games.
Mansfield District Executive Mayor Tony Egginton said: "These awards are a fitting way of ending an incredible year of sport for Mansfield. The list of nominations and winners demonstrate the exceptional sporting talent we have.
"This year, more than ever, Mansfield has been put on the sporting map at a regional, national and international level. We should be extremely proud of our athletes, coaches and volunteers, who are a huge inspiration to us all."
All 2012 winners are listed below:
Junior Team of the Year - Oak Tree Primary Girls Cricket Team
Junior Sportsperson of the Year - Bailey Lowe (karate)
Junior Sportsleader of the Year - Jordan Hodson
Junior Disabled Sportsperson of the Year - Benjamin Blore (multi sports and martial arts)
Team of the Year – Mansfield Rugby Club, Men's first XV
Sportsperson of the Year – Rebecca Adlington (swimming)
Disabled Sportsperson of the Year – Oliver Hynd (swimming)
Coach of the Year – Ted Grey (athletics)
Volunteer of the Year – Nicola Grounds
Club of the Year – Mansfield Rugby Club
Executive Mayor's Special Achievement Award - Glenn Smith
