Stratford-on-Avon District Sports Awards Winners 2019

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Press Release

Published on 21 January 2019
Archived on 21 February 2019


The annual Stratford-on-Avon District Sports Awards, organised by Stratford-on-Avon District Council in partnership with Everyone Active, took place on Friday 18 January. In attendance were 300 guests.  

The Sports Awards, now in its 17th year and hosted by the Stratford Playhouse, celebrated the sporting achievements of clubs and individuals across the district and recognised the valuable contributions made by volunteers, parents and coaches.  

The event was hosted by Olympian Steve Parry, who won the Bronze medal in the 200m Butterfly at the 2004 Athens Olympics.  

The Senior Sports Person Award was awarded to both Andrew Pozzi of Stratford Athletic Club and bodybuilder Max O'Connor.

Andrew had an exceptional year, the highlight of which was becoming World Indoor 60m Hurdles Champion in March. He was the first British athlete to win the title since Colin Jackson in 1999. Andrew finished 6th in the 110m Hurdles Final at the Commonwealth Games and the European Championships.  

Max O'Connor has been attempting to win the NABBA Mr Universe competition since 2011, and this year he achieved his goal and won the crown.  Many people do not even get the chance to compete for Mr Universe let alone win the title.

The Junior Sports Person Award was presented to Lewis Byng of Stratford Athletic Club. Lewis has achieved 1st place in a number of national competitions including in shot put at the School Games, UK U17 Championships and England Athletics U17 Championships.  Lewis was also selected to represent GB at the European Championships in Hungary, where he achieved 7th position.

The Junior Para-sports Person Award, was awarded to Sophie Evans-Lee (Riding for the Disabled). Sophie competed at the RDA Regional Finals and despite a nasty fall in the dressage test, she managed to carry on and finished 1st place in the Countryside Challenge. This resulted in Sophie gaining the highest score for the Warwickshire region retaining the Rosemary Stretch Trophy.  Sophie finished 6th at the RDA Nationals held at Hartpury representing Stratford-upon-Avon RDA. 

Lee Powell of Bears Wheelchair Basketball team won the Senior Para-sports Person Award. Lee is the club captain of the Bears Wheelchair Basketball Club and has led the first team to the top of the British Wheelchair Basketball First Division South to achieve promotion into the Premier League. Lee is an inspirational captain and is always encouraging other members of the club.

The Coach or PE Teacher Award was given to Kelly McCormack from Stratford Thunderbirds Netball Club. Kelly is the head coach and is passionate about girls' participation in competitive netball.  She spends countless hours organising teams, entering them in tournaments and fixtures as well as supporting players on the 'England Netball' Pathway.  Kelly's coaching has led to an extremely successful year for the Thunderbirds in the Coventry and Warwickshire League and the Birmingham Intermediate League.

The Volunteer of the Year Award was won by Trevor Sale. Trevor is a great asset to the Bears Wheelchair Basketball Club. His contribution to wheelchair maintenance and repairs ensure players are available to train and play matches.  Trevor fixes the wheelchairs that players use every day which saves individuals the cost of repairs and time waiting for repairs to be completed. Alongside this, Trevor has raised money for the club and assists with the set up and scoring of matches.

Stratford Athletic Club Junior Track & Field Team's fabulous form in 2018 meant they were presented with the Junior Team Award, in what was a very competitive category. The same club's Senior Track & Field Team walked away with the Senior Team Award after winning promotion to Midland League Division Three.

The prestigious Service to Sport Award went to David Kirby for his outstanding commitment to fencing club particularly through his coaching and education of coaches.  He provides formal and informal opportunities for individuals to develop their coaching skills. This has given others inspiration to continue and give back to the sport they have achieved so much in already. He has coached individuals to World Cup events and European and World Championships. David has now retired from his coaching role but is still in coach development, creating an outstanding coach training centre for fencers and others in the Stratford area.  His contribution to sport has been outstanding as a coach, coach tutor and a mentor.

Congratulations to everyone who was nominated for an award.

A full list of the winners:  

  • Senior Para-sports Person Award - Lee Powell (Bears Wheelchair Basketball Club)
  • Junior Team Award - Stratford AC Junior Track & Field Team
  • Coach or PE Teacher Award - Kelly McCormack (Stratford Thunderbirds Netball Club)
  • Junior Para-sports Person Award - Sophie Evans-Lee (Riding for the Disabled)
  • Volunteer of the Year - Trevor Sale (Bears Wheelchair Basketball Club)
  • Senior Team Award - Stratford AC Senior Track & Field Team
  • Junior Sports Person - Lewis Byng (Stratford AC)
  • Senior Sports Person - Max O'Connor (Bodybuilding) and Andrew Pozzi (Stratford AC)
  • Service to Sport Award - David Kirby (Shakespeare's Swords)

A special mention of thanks must go to our event partners Everyone Active for assisting to deliver the awards. Thank you also to Stratford Play House for their support.  

For more information on the Sports Awards please visit www.stratford.gov.uk/sportsawards. You can also view an album of images from the event on the Stratford-on-Avon District Council Facebook page.


Contact details

Stratford-on-Avon District Council
Elizabeth House, Church Street,
Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire,
CV37 6HX
Tel: 01789 267575

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Last updated on 24/01/2019