Local sport celebrated at Teignbridge Sports Personality of the Year awards
It was a double victory for national middle distance athlete and racing champion Molly Canham after her outstanding efforts on the track saw her crowned overall Teignbridge’s Sports Personality of the Year 2016 and Junior Sportswoman of the Year.
The 15-year-old English Schools under-15 800m champion has added the two trophies to her growing collection and tops off a hugely successful year of racing which has seen her top the UK 800m rankings but also the UK 2016 mile rankings, with a personal best of 5:01.93.
Molly was just one of a number of sporting luminaries to celebrate success at Teignbridge District Council’s annual Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2016 at the Langstone Cliff Hotel, Dawlish Warren, on Friday December 2 2016.
According to her nominator, Molly’s headline achievement in 2016 was becoming the fastest 14yr old in the World for the 800m distance.
The glittering awards ceremony recognises athletes, volunteers, sports teams, committee members, coaches and community champions who all go the extra mile to help keep Teignbridge active all year round.
The Teignbridge Sports Personality of the Year Awards saw prizes given across 13 different categories, representing the diversity of sporting talent in the district. Kitsons Solicitors was the headline sponsor for the third year running and many other well-known and established businesses sponsored categories. Other key partners were the Mid Devon Advertiser, Stage Engage, Pinnacle Photo Agency, Pangaea TV and radio and television presenter Bon Moseby.
The winners and finalists were:
Overall Teignbridge Sports Personality of the Year 2016 sponsored by Kitsons Solicitors
Molly Canham
Services to Sport (Community) sponsored by SeaSports South West
1st-Darren Farley - Dawlish Swimming Club Volunteer
2nd-Sandra Brimicombe - Teignbridge Titans Netball Club
3rd-Graham Brodie - local cycling community
Services to Sport (Education) sponsored by Langstone Cliff Hotel
1st-Mary Hart - Teign School
2nd-Becky Birchill and Sam Cann - Newton Abbot College
3rd-Emma Coniam, Elise Harvey and Jesse Peake - Teign School Sports Council
Volunteer of the Year sponsored by Devon Football Association
1st-Lodge Indoor Skatepark Volunteer Team
2nd-Donna Ashton - Nordic Walking/Cycling
3rd-Revolution - Skate Volunteer Team
Coach/Manager of the Year sponsored by Hotline-Horizon Ltd
1st-Patricia Hunt - Newton Abbot Somersaults
2nd-Garry Mitchell - Dawlish Swimming Club
3rd-Marcus West - Ashburton Cricket Club
Disabled Sportsperson of the Year sponsored by Hannahs at Seale-Hayne
1st-Elliot Fay- England Disabled Angling Team
2nd-Ethan Kirby - Newton Abbot Athletics Club
3rd-Callie -Ann Butler - Mixed Disabled Sports / Newton Abbot College
Junior Sportswoman of the Year sponsored by South Devon College
1st-Molly Canham - Newton Abbot Athletics Club
2nd-Emily Wareham - Dawlish Swimming Club
3rd-Shawna Ball - MartialArts4Fun
Junior Sportsman of the Year sponsored by Seymour Horwell Volvo Specialists
1st-Billy Green - Auto Cycle Union Trial Rider
2nd-Alfie Collier - Newton Abbot Somersaults Gymnastics
3rd-Freddy Birchill - Cyclo-Cross & MTB Cycling
Young Persons Services to Sport & Physical Education sponsored by Dartmoor School Sports Partnership
1st-Lewis Breslan - Newton Abbot Spurs Football Club
2nd-Claire Tooth - Teignmouth Thunderbirds Netball Club
3rd-Jazmine Montier - Newton Abbot College
Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by Teignbridge District Council
Ken Robertson – Mid Devon Cycling Club
Club of the Year sponsored by Bayside Graphics
1st-Newton Abbot Somersaults Gymnastics Club
2nd-Teignmouth Beach Lifesaving Club
3rd-Haytor Hearts Netball Club
Junior Team of the Year sponsored by Complete Property Estate Agents
1st-Ashmoor Hockey Club Boys Under 16s
2nd-Newton Abbot Water Polo Under 15s
3rd-Devon under 11s Squash Team
Senior Team of the Year sponsored by Lamars Decorating Contractors Ltd
1st-Buckland Athletic Ladies Football Club
2nd-Newton Abbot Pacers Ladies
3rd-Stover Golf Club
Senior Sportsperson of the Year sponsored by Market Walk Shopping Centre, Newton Abbot
1st-Molly Pavey- Stover Golf Club
2nd-Helen Anthony - Triathlon/Marathon Runner
3rd-Eric Perkin - Newton Abbot Water Polo Club
James Cross, Managing Partner at Kitsons Solicitors, said: “We were delighted to be part of such a wonderful event. Hearing great stories of sporting successes and achievements in our community over the last twelve months was a privilege and delight. Once again Teignbridge District Council have given us all a fantastic evening which we at Kitsons were very pleased to sponsor.”
Teignbridge District Council’s Leader Cllr Jeremy Christophers said: “At Teignbridge, we love it when a plan comes together! 2016 was our biggest and best Sports Personality Awards with over 270 people attending. The highlights are Ken Robertson's lifetime achievement award for his dedication to cycling and Molly Canham winning overall Sports Personality Award for the outstanding running achievement of being the fastest 15 year old girl on the planet over the 800 metre distance.
“Both these winners deserve special mention as do our headline sponsors, Kitsons, and the team Teignbridge officers who work each year to put on and promote this fantastic event.”
Teignbridge District Council’s Deputy Leader and Executive member for Recreation and Leisure, Cllr George Gribble said: “In an Olympic and Paralympic year, it was fantastic to see so many deserving winners and finalists here in Teignbridge. A huge range of sports were represented, from Nordic walking to water polo. It just goes to show the success, variety and enthusiasm for sport in Teignbridge and, I hope, inspires others to get into sport in our district. Congratulations to all and many thanks to Teignbridge’s hard working officers, our partners and all our sponsors who helped make this event happen.”
A raffle on the night raised £367.30 for the council’s chairman’s charities and donations totalling £557.10 were made to the “Give Me Five” campaign, something which supports the Rotary Youth Games Charitable Trust.
Teignbridge District Council’s Chairman, Cllr Graham Price said:“What a fantastic evening! It was truly wonderful to celebrate the achievements of Teignbridge sportsmen and women. Their enthusiasm and commitment for their sports is admirable.
“Congratulations to all the nominees and well done to the award winners. A big thank you must go to the Teignbridge members of staff who have made it all happen but especially to Active Leisure Development Officer Nikki Taylor who has been the linchpin of the event.”
For more information please visit www.teignbridge.gov.uk/sportsawards
Photos of all winners can be found at: http://www.ppauk.biz/tsa2016/
