Over 20 awards were presented by the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, and Mayoress Lynn Plant to individuals, teams and leagues at the ceremony, held at Fordhouses Cricket Club last Tuesday (14 November, 2023).
The recipients were as follows:
- Coach of the Year: Holly Barber (Netball) and Stennett Harvey (Karate)
- Volunteer of the Year: Sheree Hodgetts (Netball)
- Under 21 Volunteer of the Year: Roma Chattha and Libby Hale (Netball)
- Disabled player/athlete of the Year: Everton Simpson (Table tennis)
- Veteran of the Year: John Hughes, 76 (Football), Clive Jukes, 87 (Running), Monique McInnes, 93 (Running), Barbara Oliver (Hockey), Erik Renshaw, 93 (Table tennis), and German Singh (Hockey)
- Team/Club of the Year: Ikon Martial Arts (Karate)
- 50 Years a club/league: Wolverhampton Sunday League Football
- Community team/club/league: TT Elite (Football), and Walking Hockey and A Chat (Hockey)
- Ted Hayward Memorial Trophy: Henry Searle, Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis and Squash Club
- Jeff Coleman Memorial Trophy: Terry Shinton, Sunday Football League
- Award of Merit: Debbie Owen (Netball), Kath Owen (Netball), Sukhjinder Singh Padam (Cricket), and Christine Weaver (Canoeing)
- H E Lane Memorial Trophy: Anona Hickin, Wolverhampton City Netball League/Wolverhampton Sports Advisory Council
- R V Cook Memorial Trophy: Jeff Coleman, posthumously (Football and Wolverhampton Sports Advisory Council).
At the end of the evening, chair Peter Holmes MBE was surprised when being awarded with an engraved rose bowl for Outstanding Services to Wolverhampton City Sports Advisory Council over many years since it was formed in 1966, and to city sports as a whole.
Mayor Councillor Hardacre said: "I was delighted to be able to present this year’s Wolverhampton City Sports Advisory Council to so many deserving individuals and organisations. It was a fantastic evening and a great way to celebrate our city’s sporting heroes and heroines – and I was particularly pleased to present Peter homes with a token of all our thanks for ensuring that sporting achievement in the city is recognised.
“I would like to say a huge well done to all our winners.”
Peter added: “Wolverhampton is very fortunate in having sporting and recreational clubs who contribute to the life of the city. The clubs are staffed by volunteers who without their contribution sport would not exist.
“Our annual awards are an opportunity for clubs to recognise their members and for them to receive Civic recognition. I would like to thank Fordhouses Cricket Club for affording us the hospitality in hosting the event.”
Wolverhampton City Sports Advisory Council’s Annual General Meeting takes place at WV Active Aldersley tomorrow (Tuesday 21 November, 2023) at 7pm. All are welcome.
