THE seventh annual Winchester & District Sports Awards has celebrated the best of the region’s sporting achievements in 2014.

Winchester MP Steve Brine was in attendance as awards were presented across 14 categories to recognise the commitment and excellence of coaches and volunteers, as well as sportsmen and women.

Rugby star Joe Marchant, a Peter Symonds College student who signed for Harlequins last year, was unable to receive the Sportsman of the Year award due to his England U20 commitments.

But all the other winners were presented with their awards in person, including Thomas Hasler and Lee Grant from the inspirational Cycle 2 Sweden team, which won the Outstanding Personal Achievement award for raising £7,500 for charity by cycling from Alresford to Stockholm.

Winchester Goalball Club, founded by Paralympian Adam Knott, won Club of the Year. Junior Team of the Year went to Sparsholt College, the winners of the English Schools U18 National Cup as well as two county cups.

The Junior Sportsman award was shared between U9 tennis star Daniel Prickett, who is ranked second nationally for his age group, and Jack Wiseman, a 12 year-old who plays for Winchester City Basketball Club’s U16 team – as well as England’s U12s.

Winchester & District AC triathlete India Lee won Sportswoman of the Year after finishing sixth in the European Cup in Geneva as well as two podium places in British Championship races – despite undergoing surgery following a bike crash in March.

Junior Sportswoman is Annie Lado, a Westgate School pupil who made her England debut at the Under-13 Refrath Cup in Germany last summer.

Masters Sportsperson was won by Lindsey Andrews, a mum with a full-time job who won gold in every karate competition she entered to retain her status as number one in veterans Kata. Her husband Bryan won Performance Coach of the Year for his commitment to the couple’s academy in Basingstoke, as well as being Kata coach to the England karate team.

Participation Coach is South Wonston Table Tennis Club’s Paddy Shephard, whose achievements include the setting up of a new primary school league in conjunction with Winchester City Council.

Winchester City Penguins Swimming Club’s Ellie Trow, who won five medals at the Cerebral Palsy National Championships and achieved personal bests in all her disciplines at the Disabled Sports Events National Swimming Championships, received Junior Disability Sportsperson of the Year.

Volunteer of the Year went to Paul Wilson, Club Development Officer and U10s coach at Littleton FC, as well as being on the Eastleigh District Mini-Soccer League Committee.

Two Peter Symonds College coaches won the Junior Volunteer awards: Hugh Raymer (tennis), who also runs the rugby team at Westgate Secondary School, and Agnes Swieca (dance).

There was also a Recognition Award, for services to Physical Activity and Health, for Blue Apple Theatre.

Organised by the Winchester District Sport and Physical Activity Alliance (SPAA), the awards were sponsored by Sparsholt College, Winchester University, Lloyds TSB, Winchester Physiotherapy, Sport Hampshire & IOW, Places for People, Winchester City Council.

Junior Sportsman Daniel Prickett (tennis) and Jack Wiseman (basketball) Highly Commended: Edward Andrews (judo and karate), Charlie Gunson (football). 

Junior Sportswoman Annie Lado (badminton) Highly Commended: Ira Banerjee (badminton).

Sportsman Joe Marchant (rugby). 

Sportswoman India Lee (triathlon). 

Junior Disability Sportsperson Ellie Trow (swimming).

Masters Sportsperson of the Year Lindsey Andrews (martial arts). 

Junior Team of the Year Sparsholt College football 2nd: Peter Symonds College girls’ tennis 3rd: Winchester Wings Basketball. Highly Commended: Peter Symonds College tennis and boys’ hockey, St Swithun’s tennis, Eastleigh & Winchester District football. 

Outstanding Personal Achivement Cycle 2 Sweden. 

Participation Coach Paddy Shephard (table tennis)

Performance Coach Bryan Andrews (martial arts).

Club Winchester Goalball. Highly Commended: Blue Apple Theatre and Winchester City Penguins.

Junior Male Volunteer Hugh Raymer (tennis and rugby).

Junior Female Volunteer Agnes Swieca (dance) Volunteer Paul Wilson (football). Highly Commended: Charlotte Smith (table tennis), Fraser Dean (rugby).

Pictures will be published in this weekend's Sports Pink