ANOTHER highly successful sporting year was celebrated when the Wokingham Borough Sports Council held their annual awards night last Friday, writes Dave Wright.

The theatre at Bulmershe School, Woodley, was packed as individuals, teams, clubs and schools gathered for the ceremony at which 20 trophies were handed out by chief guest, Reading and England hockey player Peter Scott, assisted by local mayors, Member of Parliament Matt Rodda, dignitaries and representatives of the many sponsors.

Nigel King, chairman of the WBSC, said: “This evening also gives us an opportunity to thank those who make these sporting achievements possible, whose efforts would otherwise go unrecognised.”

He also presented the Chairman’s Award to a team from Berkshire County Sports Club in recognition of what they have done for the local squash scene.

“They have worked closely with Wokingham Borough Council over the last 12 months to help address the closure of the squash courts at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre,” said King.

“Initially their work involved securing £35,000 to help with the upgrading of squash courts at Berkshire County Sports Club. That’s enabled the provision of additional courts for players in the borough. They also set up a new booking system.

“In recognition of their dedication and efforts, the team at Berkshire County Sports led by Kevin Mist and Ollie Waddington have all committed a lot of their time to ensure the project was completed within a short deadline, and so they are the winners of the Chairman’s Award.”

The new courts in Sonning were opened at the end of October by the Prime Minister Theresa May, who lives close to the venue.

The awards ceremony benefitted this year from overall sponsorship by Places Leisure, who operate the leisure centres in the borough, with Martin & Co estate agents, South Berkshire Hockey Club, Trademark Windows and Sand Martins Golf Club new category sponsors.

The Master of Ceremonies was Jack Sulman.

Sand Martins Golf Club were rewarded for their ‘feel inspired satellite academy’, an initiative designed to bring golf to young people with special educational needs, intellectual or physical impairments.

And one the youngsters to benefit from the coaching, Kyran Bird, earned the Courage Award.

Reddam School were also celebrating a double with their British title-winning gymnasts earning the services to sport award and Stuart Woods being named coach of the year.

Reading Athletic Club’s under-13 and under-14 relay teams, who both enjoyed plenty of success on the track, received the Spirit of Sport trophy.

East Berkshire golfer Laura Webb, the UK senior women’s champion, topped the senior women’s category with the men’s equivalent going to professional basketball player Lewis Champion, the former Bulmershe School pupil now playing for Bristol Flyers, having previously been with Reading Rockets.

The best schools categories went to The Forest (senior) and Hawkedon (primary.)

ROLL OF HONOUR

l Under-14 Girls (sponsored by Ivor Baker): Emma Thompson, footballer.

l Under-14 Boys (Martin & Co Cup): Ali Kabeer, canoeist.

l Under-18 Girls (Richard Worth Cup): Hannah Evans, archer.

l Under-18 Boys (Trademark Windows Cup): Matt Buckner, athlete.

l Best Primary School (Places Leisure Shield): Hawkedon.

l Best Secondary School (Places Leisure Shield): The Forest.

l Senior Woman (BT 2000 Cup): Laura Webb, golfer.

l Female Team (South Berkshire Hockey Club Cup): Bohunt School U13 football.

l Male Team (Reading Rugby Club Cup): Wokingham & District U11 football.

l Senior Man (Wokingham Borough Council Cup): Lewis Champion, basketball.

l Unsung Hero (Chris Evans Trophy): John Mailer of Woodley United.

l Services to Sport - individual (Wokingham News): Edna Orchard, bowls.

l Services to Sport - club (Wokingham Paper): Reddam Gymnastics Club.

l Coach of the Year (Sand Martins Golf Club Shield): Stuart Woods, Reddam GC.

l Volunteer of the Year (Wokingham Town Council Cup): Tom King, South Berkshire HC.

l Services to Disabled Sport (BT 2000 Cup): Sand Martins Golf Club.

l Courage Award (WBSC president Angus Ross): Kyran Bird, golfer.

l Spirit of Sport (Earley Town Council Cup): Reading AC U13 & U15 relay teams.

l Excellence in Sport (Woodley Town Council Cup): Ethan Jones, diver.

l Chairman’s Award (WBSC Chairman’s Cup): Berkshire County Sports Club.