THE STARS of sport in Worcester were celebrated at a glitzy awards ceremony with the added sparkle of an Olympic legend.
Athletics star Steve Cram was on hand to present the awards in the 16 categories up for grabs at the City of Worcester Sports Awards 2015 at the University of Worcester Arena.
Among the top performers was 91-year-old Alec Davies who won the Howard Peters Award for Outstanding Contribution.
Alec has been a member of St John’s Cycling Club for 50 years and attends every time trial and road race the club organises.
Long distance runner Jennifer Nesbitt, who beat Paula Radcliffe in the Worcester 10km run in 2014, was named Senior Female Sports Person.
A devasting illness in 2012 left Jenny in poor health, both mentally and physically. Her mother said beating Paula Radcliffe gave Jenny the confidence she needed.
“Beating Paula in September 2014 in a time of 34.21 was the turning point for Jenny, and something I will never ever forget. It gave her the confidence to realise she could run well again and compete.”
Senior Male Sports Person went to Ben O’Brien who last year was selected to play basketball for the Special Olympics Great Britain team.
Swimmer Rebecca Redfern, who swam to four gold medal titles at the Manchester Disability Nationals in 2014, picked up Disability Sports Person of the Year and is hoping to qualify for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio.
The Junior Sports Person of the Year titles went to Worcester Swimming Club member Matt Richards and ten-pin bowling champion Mia Bewley.
Other notable winners include Club of the Year Worcester Rowing Club, Junior Team of the Year Nunnery Wood Key Stage 3 Badminton team, Contribution to Physical Activity went to Black Bear Joggers, Ellie Jones picked up Higher Education or Further Education Sport Award and Young Volunteer of the Year Hannah Tipping.
Sally Greaves was named Coach of the Year, Volunteer of the Year was Shirley Purbis, while Tudor Grange’s PE Department won the School Sport Partnership award for most improved school and The University of Worcester Volleyball Society picked up the Higher Education Sport Award.
