Fresh from success at the Rochford District Sports Awards, sports stars from the area were awarded accolades at the Essex Sports Awards held in Chelmsford last night.
The Essex Sports Awards, hosted by sportessex and sponsored by inspiredspaces, celebrate and recognise the very best in sport within the county and the people who participate, support its provision and invest personally in its ongoing development.
Over 200 guests, including dignitaries, athletes and coaches, attended the event to see who scooped the ten awards up for grabs from the three finalists shortlisted in each category. And sports stars from Rochford were given cause to celebrate when:
- Sailor Lucy Hodges from Rochford was awarded the Paralympic Hopeful Award sponsored by Essex County Council
- Swimmer Jo Jo Cranfield who represents Rochford and District Swimming Club was selected as a runner up in the Young Sports Personality of the Year Award sponsored by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
- Steve Dowding and Elaine Horner from Hockley were chosen as runners up in the Services to Sport Award sponsored by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
- Hawkwell Athletic Football Club were selected as runners up in the Community Club of the Year Award sponsored by Wilson James
Angela Littlewood, director of sportessex, said: “I’d like to offer my congratulations to everyone on winning their awards, and would also like to say a great big thank you to every single participant, every club member, every volunteer, and to everyone involved in sport in the county. It has been a fantastic year for sport in Essex with real progress being made and this is due to efforts of all those who have been involved in these awards.”
Lucy Hodges, a visually impaired sailor, from Rochford was awarded the Paralympic Hopeful Award in recognition of her determination to become number one in her field. Lucy, with her helm Mike Cogswell, has recently taken part in both the Skandia Sail for Gold regatta in Weymouth and the IFDS World Sailing Championships in Greece.
Her success followed being named District Disability Sports Personality of the Year for the second time at the recent Rochford District Sports Awards, sponsored by Virgin Active. She said “To be recognised by Rochford for a second year was very surprising and to top what has been a great year to be nominated and then to be presented with the Paralympic Hopeful award was out of this world. To be recognised by sportessex, BBC Essex and all involved allows not just myself to receive the award but also brings a smile to those that support and coach me throughout the year. It is my hope to help others in my region with disabilities to ensure they realise what they can achieve and hope to help teachers and coaches understand that having a disability is not a barrier to sport and can also help people deal with their disability”.
sportessex is the official body for sport in Essex as recognised by Sport England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It works in partnership with many organisations across the county to promote sport, and to develop exciting new sporting opportunities, laying the foundations for a healthier, more active Essex. The Essex Sports Awards are now in their fourth year, and similar awards take place across the East of England and around the country.
For more information about the Essex Sports Awards visit: http://www.essexsportsawards.co.uk
