Herald Express Torbay Sports Awards 2015

2015

TORBAY

SPORTS AWARDS

Thursday, 26th November 2015 at The Riviera International Conference Centre

Pictures by Andy Uglow, Pyramid Pictures

Category Sponsors

HEX-E01-S4

David Jamieson Jeweller

Unsung Hero category Supported by

2

HEX-E01-S4

heraldexpress.co.uk

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

HERALD EXPRESS

And the Torbay Sports Personality of the Year is ... Brixham captain Adam Thomas ADAM THOMAS was more than a little surprised to be named the Herald Express Torbay Sports Personality of the Year at the Riviera International Conference Centre in Torquay last Thursday.

The Brixham rugby captain had already been up to the stage as part of the Team of the Year winners’ party, and as the newly crowned Senior Sports Personality, and he admitted he was out of ideas for a speech on his third visit...

Adam, 31, captained Brixham Rugby Club to their first Devon Senior Cup trophy win in 83 years with the Fishermen beating Newton Abbot in their own back yard in the final at Rackerhayes. It was a massive day for the club and a defining moment for the man.

With so many excellent sports people in the house however, Thomas was settled back in his seat and quite unprepared to accept the accolade.

“I don’t know what to say really. I wasn’t expecting the first award. I am really proud to have won this award and I want to say thank you to everyone who made this possible,” he said.

“I am massively happy to be recognised. I am really proud – but I look at this as being on behalf of the team. I feel a bit guilty accepting this as a lot of the boys work really hard and play really hard.

“If it wasn’t for the boys then I definitely wouldn’t be here accepting the award.

“The award is something I will keep for the rest of my life and I am very proud.”

Last year, the overall award was won by Commonwealth gold medal winning bowler Sophie Tolchard, and Thomas said that he was honoured to be in the same company as her.

With Sophie on international duty in her sport, Adam was presented with the award by her mother Sharon.

“It was a big year last year for Brixham,” said Adam. “I have been at the club for a while and I am one of the old boys now.

“Last year was my fourth Devon Cup final and I don’t think I’ve got many left in me, so it was a bit like my last chance saloon to finally do it.

Next for us is to try and go for promotion.

“I have been there for 12 or 13 years and never enjoyed it as much as I do now. I want to thank the team who helped to make this happen.”

WINNER: Brixham rugby captain Adam Thomas, the Herald Express Torbay Sports Personality for 2015, with editor Jim Parker, sports editor Richard Hughes and Sharon Tolchard

Leisure Bistro, Games, Spa, Pool, Gym, Studio

If it’s fun, relaxation, pampering or serious exercise you’re looking for, then Aztec Leisure in Torquay is the place to be

RUNNER UP: Cricketer Ryan Stevenson

RUNNER UP: Rally star Chris Wheeler

FINALIST: Collecting the back page for Taekwon-do’s Amanda Barge was Ryan House

WINNER: Adam Thomas, accepting the Senior Sports Personality of the Year award, with Herald Express editor Jim Parker and Matt Green from category sponsors Aztec Leisure. Adam was soon to return to the stage for the evening’s overall award

Well done to all the winners!

Find out more at

www.tlh.co.uk/aztec-leisure We’re social join us on

#TLHhotels

HERALD EXPRESS

HEX-E01-S4

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

heraldexpress.co.uk

3

Torquay swimmer Tom Fannon is the Junior Sports Personality of the Year ‘This will spur me on to get to Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and the Olympics in 2024’ TOM FANNON is aiming to go to Rio next year as part of the GB swimming team.

The Torquay swimmer won a medley gold medal at the inaugural European Games in Azerbaijan in 2015 and has his sights on making the Great Britain squad for the big one in Brazil.

Fannon has an important swim meeting in Glasgow, coming up early next year, and that will decide his Olympic fate; but having already been asked to fill in the Olympic forms by GB Swimming, these are exciting times for the 19-year-old who is coached by the world renowned John Rudd in Plymouth.

Fannon, who attends Plymouth College as part of the swimming pro-

gramme, said: “I want to say thank you to all my friends and family for supporting me on my journey.

“I am over the moon at this award.

“I am a competitive person so like to win all the time, so to win this award is really an amazing honour. I am just so grateful.

“This will spur me on. I am aiming to get to Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 and to the Olympics in 2024 – so this is a good starting point.

“From now on I am just aiming to get better and better.”

WINNER: Junior Sports Personality of the Year went to 17-year-old swimmer Tom Fannon (right), who was presented with his award by Paul Le Hurray from Torbay Taxis

FINALIST: 18-year-old Torbay Athletic Club 400 metres hurdler Lillian Goddard

FINALIST: Jaimee Luscombe, 12, took part in the Transplant Games in Newcastle

24 HOURS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK / 365 DAYS A YEAR

DOWNLOAD OUR APP WWW.TORBAYTAXIS.CO.UK

FINALIST: 17-year-old Four-Cross Mountain biker Natasha Bradley

FINALIST: Torquay Golf Club’s Craig Passmore, 13, has made the South West squad

©LW

4

HEX-E01-S4

heraldexpress.co.uk

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

HERALD EXPRESS

Promising Young Athlete of the Year is slalom skiing sensation Jack Cox ‘I want to get to the Olympics, and with my dad helping me along the way, I think I can do it’ NINE-year-old skier Jack Cox is the silent type when it comes to talking on stage – but who can blame him?

After all, he does his talking on the slopes of Torbay Alpine Club.

Cox is the current UK and Welsh champion in his age-group on a slalom course and he is a hot prospect for the future. He is one of the best young skiiers his coach Chris Tong says he has ever seen.

He said: “I feel quite happy to have won and I will keep going and doing best I can in the future.

“I want to get to the Olympics, and with my dad helping me along the way, I think I can do.

WINNER: Jack Cox, the nine-year-old slalom skier, and member of the Torbay Alpine Ski Club, was awarded his prize by Matt Burrows from caegory sponsors South Devon College. With Jack is his father Ashley Cox who was a downhill racer himself

“I have to work hard, concentrate, and ski well to do so, but think that I can.”

Ashley Cox, his father, is on the hunt for further sponsorship right now – to help fund Jack’s development on snow in Europe. Money essential to keep the young man’s career progressing. Skiing is not a cheap sport – especially when it comes to training on the white stuff.

But Jack will keep working hard at Torbay in Barton where there is a wonderful group of young skiers making light of their downhill facilities. And he will keep enjoying every minute of it...

FINALISTS: Jack Cox beat three other fantastic promising youngsters in this category. Gracie Mitchell (top left) is a gymnast at South Devon School of Gymnastics; Brooke Coldwell (above) runs with Exeter Harriers and is a specialist at 800 and 1,500 metres; Chloe Brooke is a champion in brazilian Jiu Jitzu and trains at Fightworx in Torquay

HERALD EXPRESS

HEX-E01-S4

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

heraldexpress.co.uk

Paignton’s Curledge Street Academy win the Health Champion of the Year category CURLEDGE STREET Academy is a primary school in Paignton – and there isn’t a blade of grass in its town centre grounds.

But that hasn’t stopped the school becoming one of the best sports schools in the Bay and receiving the award on behalf of everyone involved, assistant headteacher Danny Brown said: “I just want to say a big thank you to our staff, teachers, and to Paignton Community & Sports Academy.

“We have such fantastic students and amazing and understanding parents and they really appreciate all the sport that goes on at the school “We are delighted to have won. We have made big strides in terms of the sport we do within the school. The amount of children participating and the opportunities we give is why we have won the award.

“Three years ago we only had one club that used to do football and now we run clubs throughout the whole school. Now, 70 per cent of students go to after school clubs and we are just trying to promote sport in a positive way.

“Health is a big thing and we are making a difference and giving the children the opportunities that they might not have otherwise had, which is so important to us.

‘It’s just lovely to be recognised.

It is a whole school effort‘ “It is just lovely to be recognised not just for the difference for the children, but also for what the staff have done. It is a whole school effort in terms of moving the sport and the school forward so just wonderful recognition for that.

“We are just really, really pleased.”

WINNER: Danny Brown, the assistant headteacher at Curledge Streey Academy, accepts the Health Champion award from the award sponsor Mark Richards from the Public Health Sector

■

Open 7 days a week

■

No need to book

■

Bike hire available

■

Cycle from £1.50

■

Free WiFi

■

Helmet hire available

■

■

■

FINALISTS: There were also three individuals up for the Health Champion award and they were Torbay fitness instructors Gail Marie Shapter (top left) and Paul Harrison (left) and Lynn Squire, head of fItness and Adventure at South Devon College

Build up your riding confidence on our 1.5km flat, traffic-free circuit Ideal for families and those who haven’t ridden a bike in years!

Join our Facebook page for up to date information about opening times and events

01803 208871 torbay.gov.uk/velopark torbayvelopark Clennon Valley, Paignton TQ4 5JR

5

6

HEX-E01-S4

heraldexpress.co.uk

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Devon Senior Cup winners Brixham Rugby Club are Team of the year WHAT a year 2015 was for Brixham Rugby Club – they won the Devon Senior Cup for the first time since 1932 and did it in Newton Abbot by beating the All Whites at a packed-out Rackerhayes.

For the captain Adam Thomas, this year’s Sports Personality of the Year, it was the fulfilment of a dream.

Barry Thomas, the first team manager, said: “I want to thank everyone for tonight.

“It would have been nice for the rest of the team to have been with us tonight – but they were training for a big game on Saturday and coach wouldn’t release them.”

And, without their injured star player and captain Adam Thomas, Brixham won that game against Lydney – and went top of the National League Three South West division.

“It is fantastic, really fantastic, this is. The boys, they go through a lot – and I love the boys. They look at me as part of the team.

“The Devon Cup, after all those years and so many finals, and it eluding us, was great and fantastic to finally win.”

TEAM GAME: There were five strong candidates for Team of the Year with Chris Wheeler Rallying (left), South Devon School of Gymnastics (below left), Destiny Twirl Team (below right) and the Year 9 netball team from Paignton Community & Sports Academy all unlucky not to take the big prize. That went to Brixham Rugby Club (top) who were handed their reward by Michelle Pugh from the Herald Express

2015

TORBAY

SPORTS AWARDS Thank you to all our sponsors CATEGORY SPONSORS

CATEGORY SUPPORTED BY

David Jamieson Jeweller

HERALD EXPRESS

HERALD EXPRESS

HEX-E01-S4

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

7

heraldexpress.co.uk

Accolade goes to Torquay Cricket Club after an amazing season at the Rec DENNIS BREWER, the chairman of Torquay Cricket Club, was delighted to accept the award of Club of the Year – following such an amazing season at the Recreation Ground.

Last season, Torquay won all three of the senior leagues it had a team in – including the big one, the Devon Senior League, with the team captained by Justin Yau that included the new signing Ryan Stevenson, who has since signed for Hampshire.

“It is terrific to have won as we are so blessed in Torbay for sport,” said Brewer.

Of course, it isn’t only senior teams that make a club – youth is key too, and Torquay have invested in brand new all-weather nets to bring on young players as well as assist those older to improve.

Brewer said: “We are digging deep and have had a lot of work done by volunteers over the last few years.

“We have done an awful lot in the last few years and have got some new nets.

“This is in addition to the lifeblood of the club, which is getting kids into sport.

“We all know that it is harder and harder to attract them to play sport and keep them going beyond 14 – but doing that is what we are all about.”

WINNERS: Torquay Cricket Club were handed their Club of the Year award by Kevin Studley of Oasis Landscapes – also in the picture is the editor of the Herald Express Jim Parker

Now Taking Bookings for 2016

FINALISTS: Brixham Archers were worthy finalists in the Club of the Year category

Welcome to

Oasis Landscapes

We are a friendly landscape gardening company Offering a wide range of services for all your garden needs. From patios and stone walling to tree surgery and hedge trimming.

Proud Sponsor of the Club of the Year

FINALISTS: Torbay Athletic Club (above) and its associated Torbay Tri Club were jointly shortlisted for the Club of the Year award

FINALISTS: Brixham Rugby Club (right), the winners of the Team of the Year category, were also runners-up in the Club category

Give us a call and we can arrange an appointment to discuss your needs.

01803 269 886 - 07486 058 597 oasissouthwest.co.uk

©LW

8

HEX-E01-S4

heraldexpress.co.uk

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

HERALD EXPRESS

Powerchair footballer Luca Wickens is named Parasport Athlete of the Year WINNER: Powerchair footballer Luca Wickens won the Parasport Personality of the Year award and is pictured with Kate Clayden from sponsors Terrace Podiatry and Richard Hughes, sports editor of the Herald Express

‘I just want to say that I wouldn’t have got this award if it wasn’t for my family’ LUCA WICKENS is a powerchair footballer who plays for Villa Rockets in the Premier League of the sport.

Luca is 12 and made his debut as a Premier League powerchair footballer with Truro Storm when he was 10.

Now he is aiming for a place in the

FINALIST: Swimmer Andrew Keeler is a 19-year-old Paralympic hopeful who attends South Devon College

Stamp out foot pain! Call us today:

01803 200212 93 the terrace, torquay

©LW

FINALIST: Damon Barlow is a 13year-old gymnast (with South Devon School of Gymnastics) and swimmers

England squad and is playing with several members of the current team.

Luca said: “I just want to say that I wouldn’t have got this award if it wasn’t for my family who take me to my training, so I want to thank them.

“I am very happy to have won this award.”

HERALD EXPRESS

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

HEX-E01-S4

9

heraldexpress.co.uk

Torbay Tri Club’s dedicated athlete John Pressling is our Coach of the year JOHN PRESSLING is a coach at Torbay Tri Club, who are associated with Torbay Athletic Club.

With triathlon one of the fastest growing sports in the UK and the world, Pressling has brought together swimming, cycling and running under the TAC banner and is coaching members of all ages to stay fit and keep competitive.

He said: “This is a bit of a shock. I am delighted to win and this is a real honour, especially when you see what I have been up against this year.

“We are all winners.

“It is nice to give something back. I

WINNER: Torbay Tri Club coach John Pressling (right) receives his award from sponsors Greendale Flooring’s Amanda Perkins, alongside Jim Parker, editor of the Herald Express FINALISTS: Louise Lewis (below) is the girls and ladies coach at Paignton Rugby Club; Charlotte Haigh (right) is a teacher at Churston Ferrers Grammar School and set up Dart Netball Club this year; the coach of Brixham Archers Malcolm Grant (bottom left) is invaluable to that club; Lyle Perkins (bottom right) coaches Parkour and free running in and around the Bay

‘I just try to motivate the team’ am enthusiastic about this and love cheering on the team, and after the hard work nice to be acknowledged.

“We have got people of all ages at the club – my dad does it and he is almost 70, and we have got youngsters coming through as well.

“I do the sport myself and the moment and I bring my enthusiasm for the sport to everyone else.

“Triathlon has become big off the back of the Olympics and the Brownlee brothers have been the catalyst for it.

“The sport going from strength to strength and it is nice to be a part of it and do three sports instead of one.

“I just want to thank Torbay athletics as a club and all those who have supported the Tri club.

“I write the sessions, but they do the hard work of doing the sessions – I just try to motivate them.”

WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING TO BUY A NEW FLOORING, WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR? 9 Competitive Prices 9 Expert Advice 9 Exceptional Service 9 Large Selection 9 Quality Installations 9 Free No Obligation Site Survey and Quotations

PARKING AT THE REAR

Lucius Street, Torquay

01803 294924 www.greendalefooring.co.uk

©LW

10

HEX-E01-S4

heraldexpress.co.uk

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

HERALD EXPRESS

Volunteer of the Year Charlie Thorpe is recognised for all the hard work she does CHARLIE THORPE is 18 and is hoping to be chosen to go to Rio in Brazil as a volunteer for next year’s Olympics.

Thorpe is a sixth-former at Paignton Community & Sports Academy and gets involved with all sports, including boys’ fusbal and boccia.

She is very popular with fellow students and teachers and had a great future ahead of her.

She said: “I want to say thank you to everyone at the school for putting on the events as without them I wouldn’t be able to volunteer.

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do something special “I am really surprised to have won.

WINNER: Eighteen-year-old Paignton Community & Sports Academy student Charlie Thorpe with Jim Parker, editor of the Herald Express and David Jamieson from category sponsors Jamieson Jewellers “Volunteering is really important to me. I take part in sport quite a lot but I know that I won’t be able to do that for the rest of my life, so any way to be involved in sport is great.

“I love sport and love volunteering. I want to do as much as I can. I want to go to Rio. “I watched London 2012 and saw how inspiring the volunteers there were – and the chance for me to do it in Rio would be amazing.”

‘I watched London 2012 and saw how inspiring the volunteers were’ FINALISTS: James Ripley (left) from Paignton Sailing Club; Pheobe McCaig (bottom left) from Paignton Community & Sports Academy; Brianna Berry (Below), a student at Churston Ferrers Grammar School and volunteer at the newly formed Dart Netball Club

DAVID JAMIESON YOUR JEWELLER

(FORMALLY OF MANOR CORNER PRESTON)

IS STILL INTERESTED IN BUYING YOUR UNWANTED GOLD AND SILVER HOME VISITS ARE NOW AVAILABLE CASH OR BANK TRANSFER

WHERE DO YOU GO IF WANT SOME MONEY? GO TO JAMIESON'S, YOUR JEWELLER CALL DAVID ON

07808 842 933

david@jamiesonjewellers.co.uk www.davidjjamieson.co.uk ebay: djjamiesonjewellers Broken or in one piece, I'm interested!

HERALD EXPRESS

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

HEX-E01-S4

heraldexpress.co.uk

11

Popular choice for Unsung Hero of the Year is netball’s own Beryl D’Alessandro BERYL D’ALESSANDRO loves netball and her life is not complete without the game.

She was named as Unsung Hero of the Year after being nominated by those close to her in the Boyce Allen Netball League which is played in Paignton Community & Sports Academy.

She began playing the game in 1980 and has since coached, set up club, and looked after leagues.

She said: “I would like to say thank

you to all my clubs who are fantastic and wonderful – and to all the up and coming netball players in the area.

“I am absolutely shocked by this.

“I have worked voluntary through my illness and I have not been able to play for five years – so what I have done is spend all my time just doing my voluntary work and running teams and junior teams.

“I just want to say thank to everyone who nominated me.”

Herald Express editor Jim Parker added said: “Beryl sums up what the night is all about with unsung heroes in the community getting hundreds of people to play sports at a grass roots level.”

WINNER: Beryl D’Alessandro was named our Unsung Hero for 2015.

The 69-year-old netball coach and organiser has been involved in the sport in the Bay since 1980 and she is showing no signs for stopping just yet. Alongside Beryl is David Carpenter from category supporters Paignton Community & Sports Academy and Richard Hughes, the sports editor of the Herald Express

Paignton Community & Sports Academy

ASPIRE SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING

WEDNESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2016 from 7pm

Borough Road

FINIALISTS: Nick ‘Whiskey’ Walker (top left) is the driving force behind Torbay Hockey Club; Michele Radant (left) from Breeze Cycling and the MidDevon Cycling Club encourages people to take up the sport; Bobby Singh (above) is the team leader at ROC Active, a charity based at Torbay Leisure Centre that focuses on the health and well-being of people with learning disabilities

We look forward to welcoming you to our vibrant, caring and happy Academy.

For more information call 01803 403003 or online at www.aspirefutures.org ©LW

12 HEX-E01-S4

2015

TORBAY

SPORTS AWARDS

Congratulations to all our winners from the Herald Express team

Category Sponsors

David Jamieson Jeweller

Unsung Hero category Supported by