On Friday, 05 July at Penmorfa, Aberaeron Ceredigion Sports Council held the 2019 Ceredigion Sports Awards.
The Ceredigion Sports Council aim is to help sports clubs and sports people of every kind; from grassroots level - to representing Ceredigion as an international sports player.
The Chairman of Ceredigion Sports Council, Councillor Gareth Lloyd said, “This event, organised in partnership with Ceredigion Actif, is an opportunity to bring everyone together to celebrate not only local sport but to show recognition to the people who provide support and vision from the beginning; both coaches and volunteers, and also to the inspiring young ambassadors who make sport an inclusive activity in our schools and communities.”
Steven Davies was awarded the prestigious award of ‘Ceredigion Sports Coach of the Year’ for his work with Tregaron Turfs Ladies Football Club. Steve is a strong advocate in encouraging girls to take up football from a young age.
Councillor Lloyd added, “2019 is a big year for Sport, The Women’s Football World Cup has been a great success with over 1 million ticket sales and positively raises the profile of women’s sport. The Cricket World Cup & Ashes Tour and of course, the eagerly anticipated Rugby World Cup in Japan, where many of us will be setting early alarms to catch our heroes in red, no doubt many pyjama tops will be replaced with rugby shirts!
Ceredigion Sports Awards is a reminder that this is where we start, The Talented Juniors just beginning their sporting pathways, onto our 24 new Welsh internationals who have already made it to the highest level. We congratulate all who have achieved, no matter what sport or what level, you are all our shining stars.”
24 sports people were presented with a commemorative certificate in recognition from the Ceredigion Sports Council for becoming internationals and representing Wales for the first time in the past year.
The ‘Talented Junior Individuals Award’ was given to 19 successful applicants of a grant. The grant is to assist talented juniors of school age in their pursuit of excellence to provide training, attendance at competitions and sports equipment.
Councillor Catrin Miles is the Cabinet member with responsibility for Learning Services and Lifelong learning. She said, “The council is committed to supporting sporting activities and opportunities across Ceredigion and is proud to back Ceredigion Sports Council. I’d like to congratulate everyone who’s been given recognition for their sporting achievements today, you’re all true inspirations.”
‘Young Ambassador of the Year’ was presented to Eddy Roper, Ysgol Bro Pedr, for his commitment to providing sporting opportunities for young people. Two Ysgol Cei Newydd pupils, Henry Doughty and Ryan Moore, were awarded the ‘Bronze Young Ambassador of the Year’ in recognition of their dedication in providing inclusive sport sessions at their school.
The ‘Young Volunteer of the Year’ was awarded to Ellie Watkins. Ellie regularly returns to Ceredigion to help coach and assist in many sporting events, including many multi-sports festivals held for schools across the county.
Ceredigion County Council was also awarded the prestigious Silver insport award; one out of only seven local authorities in Wales to have received this award. The award was given for their outstanding commitment to inclusion and embedding sustainable inclusive practices within services.
The ‘Disability Sport Wales Volunteer Award’ was awarded to Nathan Jones, an Ysgol Bro Pedr student who has been the driving force in providing inclusive activities during and after school hours. Activities that Nathan’s been key in delivering to pupils are Karate and wheelchair basketball.
The insport club awards were given to Aberaeron Rowing Club and Aber Kayakers for demonstrating commitment to providing inclusive activities.
Another esteemed award presented was the ‘Unsung Hero Award’. This award is given in recognition of people who dedicate a great deal of their time and effort ‘behind the scenes’ at sports clubs and teams. This year, two people received the award; Bob Fry a volunteer coach for Ceredigion Schools Rugby Under 15 team and Emyr James, coach for Cardigan Golf club for children age 7-18 years of age.
For more information of the work of Ceredigion Actif and Ceredigion Sports Council, visit: www.ceredigionactif.org.uk.
09/07/2019