A NUMBER of volunteer sporting heroes were honoured last Thursday at the Devon Sports Awards in Paignton.
The event not only honours the achievements, but also recognises the dedication and commitment that often goes unnoticed of the many coaches, volunteers and officials involved in sport.
Whether it is coaching a future athlete for international and Olympic success, providing sessions for young people to enjoy or wading through seemingly endless club paperwork, it is the time and effort given by these volunteers across the county which makes all the difference.
Active Devon, organisers of the event, were delighted when International cricketer Caroline Atkins agreed to present the awards. Caroline is a cricketer of great pedigree having played for both the England Test and one day international sides in the most successful period in their history. Caroline is now a huge asset to the Devon Cricket Board recently starting work in Devon as a Chance to Shine ambassador.
The event was hosted for the evening by local radio presenter Ben Moseby.
The biggest award of the evening,
Outstanding Contribution to Sport in Devon went to Brian Worts.
The award is given to honour an individual that, through their hard work and dedication, has made a real difference to their sport and club, not only in 2010 but for many years.
Brian has been involved in table tennis for over 50 years in a variety of roles such as coach, club organiser, club development officer, county competition organiser and mentor, among other tasks.
He has overseen the development of the Exe Table Tennis Club for the last 30 years and has been at the heart of table tennis development in Exmouth.
Nominated for the awards were West Devon's Mhairi McCall of Tavistock Rugby Club, Tavistock Athletic Club and Tavistock Girls Football Club, has been put forward, as has Lewdown Cricket Club's development officer Brenden Worth in the coach of the year, men's section.
This years winners were: Young coach of the year: Rhiannon Lawrence, Salle Lawrence Fencing Club; coach of the year, female, Colleen Devincenzi, Teignbridge Ladies Hockey Club; coach of the year, male: Robert Moore, Exeter Triathlon Club; coach of disabled performers: Sharon Hawkins, Devon Racqueteers Wheelchair Badminton Club; official of the year, Monica Bristow, Erme Valley Harriers; performance coach of the year, Gyorgy Felletar, fencing: young volunteer of the year, Charlotte Broadhead, Petroc (NDC), Bideford Bouncers, Titans Netball Club, Langtree Netball Club; volunteer of the year: Brian Worts, Exmouth Community College (Exe Table Tennis Club)