Devon’s Sporting Community recognised at Devon Sport Awards
Athletes, coaches and volunteers from across Devon were celebrated at Sandy Park on Friday (8th May) at the Exeter Foundation annual Devon Sports Awards in association with Active Devon.
The Awards were hosted by BBC Spotlight Sports Reporter Dave Gibbins, and featured guest speaker Mark Foster, who inspired the audience with anecdotes of his swimming and career since retirement.
The main prize of the evening, the Exeter Foundation award for Outstanding Contribution to Sport in Devon, went to Sports Therapist and Table Tennis coach Liz May, who is the founder of charity Pink Pong. Liz was recognised for her contribution to the promotion of the growth of grass-roots table tennis, as well as her ability as a table tennis coach and fundraiser. Pink Pong reached its £50,000 target for raising money through table tennis events for cancer research in 2014 and their work continues now.
Liz also won the Frobishers Devon Volunteer of the Year award for her work establishing both the Chaddlewood and Ivybridge Table Tennis Club and coaching a young male athlete from Plymouth to be Devon Junior Under 19s champion.
Other winners included Olympian Jo Pavey, who took home the SW Comms Outstanding Performance in Elite Sport in recognition of a stellar year in 2014 which saw her winning the 10,000m at the European Championships and a bronze medal in the 5,000m at the Commonwealth Games. The prestigious Minstrel Group Devon Club of the Year went to Mid Devon Cycling Club for their contribution to the growth of cycling in Devon.
The awards marked the third time that Active Devon and the Exeter Foundation have partnered in hosting the awards, which continue to grow each year.
Commenting on the awards, Chairman of the Exeter Foundation Tony Rowe said: “Every year the nominations and winners are a fantastic reflection of Devon’s thriving sporting community. I hope the recognition and appreciation of the individuals and clubs awarded at the ceremony will play a part in inspiring others to participate in local sport and strive to be the best they can in order to further Devon’s reputation as a hotbed of sporting achievement.”
“I would like to personally thank all of the nominees and also those who took the time to nominate who helped to make the awards such a success.”
Matt Evans, Chief Executive of Active Devon said “We are very proud of the Devon Sports Awards which continue to grow and develop each year. I am personally so pleased at the breadth of achievements that the Awards recognise and once again this year it is impossible not to be amazed by the outstanding contributions that so many people, of all ages, make to sport in Devon. If there are people and projects that inspire you over the course of this coming year, please recognise their achievements and nominate them for next year’s awards".
Awards and winners:
Watson Fuels Outstanding Performance in Community Sport – Alyssa Oates (Underwater Hockey)
Sports Coach UK Devon Coach of the Year – Sam Stephens (Golf)
Sports Coach UK Devon Young Coach of the Year – Chantelle Prowse (Netball)
Frobishers Devon Volunteer of the Year – Liz May (Table Tennis)
Exeter Food Festival Devon Young Volunteer of the Year – Nareece Ford (Multi)
Cobell Contribution to Inclusive Sport – Katy Wedgwood (Project Ability at Woodlands School)
Minstrel Group Devon Club of the Year – Mid Devon Cycling Club
SW Comms Elite Performer of the Year – Jo Pavey (Athletics)
Active Devon Project of the Year – Deaf Academy Opportunity Sports Club
Exeter Foundation Outstanding Contribution to Sport in Devon – Liz May
See more photos of the event here
The Awards were hosted by BBC Spotlight Sports Reporter Dave Gibbins, and featured guest speaker Mark Foster, who inspired the audience with anecdotes of his swimming and career since retirement.
The main prize of the evening, the Exeter Foundation award for Outstanding Contribution to Sport in Devon, went to Sports Therapist and Table Tennis coach Liz May, who is the founder of charity Pink Pong. Liz was recognised for her contribution to the promotion of the growth of grass-roots table tennis, as well as her ability as a table tennis coach and fundraiser. Pink Pong reached its £50,000 target for raising money through table tennis events for cancer research in 2014 and their work continues now.
Liz also won the Frobishers Devon Volunteer of the Year award for her work establishing both the Chaddlewood and Ivybridge Table Tennis Club and coaching a young male athlete from Plymouth to be Devon Junior Under 19s champion.
Other winners included Olympian Jo Pavey, who took home the SW Comms Outstanding Performance in Elite Sport in recognition of a stellar year in 2014 which saw her winning the 10,000m at the European Championships and a bronze medal in the 5,000m at the Commonwealth Games. The prestigious Minstrel Group Devon Club of the Year went to Mid Devon Cycling Club for their contribution to the growth of cycling in Devon.
The awards marked the third time that Active Devon and the Exeter Foundation have partnered in hosting the awards, which continue to grow each year.
Commenting on the awards, Chairman of the Exeter Foundation Tony Rowe said: “Every year the nominations and winners are a fantastic reflection of Devon’s thriving sporting community. I hope the recognition and appreciation of the individuals and clubs awarded at the ceremony will play a part in inspiring others to participate in local sport and strive to be the best they can in order to further Devon’s reputation as a hotbed of sporting achievement.”
“I would like to personally thank all of the nominees and also those who took the time to nominate who helped to make the awards such a success.”
Matt Evans, Chief Executive of Active Devon said “We are very proud of the Devon Sports Awards which continue to grow and develop each year. I am personally so pleased at the breadth of achievements that the Awards recognise and once again this year it is impossible not to be amazed by the outstanding contributions that so many people, of all ages, make to sport in Devon. If there are people and projects that inspire you over the course of this coming year, please recognise their achievements and nominate them for next year’s awards".
Awards and winners:
Watson Fuels Outstanding Performance in Community Sport – Alyssa Oates (Underwater Hockey)
Sports Coach UK Devon Coach of the Year – Sam Stephens (Golf)
Sports Coach UK Devon Young Coach of the Year – Chantelle Prowse (Netball)
Frobishers Devon Volunteer of the Year – Liz May (Table Tennis)
Exeter Food Festival Devon Young Volunteer of the Year – Nareece Ford (Multi)
Cobell Contribution to Inclusive Sport – Katy Wedgwood (Project Ability at Woodlands School)
Minstrel Group Devon Club of the Year – Mid Devon Cycling Club
SW Comms Elite Performer of the Year – Jo Pavey (Athletics)
Active Devon Project of the Year – Deaf Academy Opportunity Sports Club
Exeter Foundation Outstanding Contribution to Sport in Devon – Liz May
See more photos of the event here
