NORTH EAST SPORTS AWARDS 2008 WINNERS –

OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC ATHLETES SCOOP TOP GONGS

Local sporting champions including Beijing Olympians and Paralympians were recognised for their outstanding achievements in sport at the North East Sports Awards on Sunday 7 December 2008.

Sponsored by One NorthEast and organised by Sport England North East, Sunderland City Council and BBC North East, the awards were presented by BBC Look North’s Jeff Brown and Charlie Charlton at the already iconic Sunderland Aquatic Centre.....

The night was attended by sportswomen and sportsmen along with local business people and included a special celebration for all of the athletes and medallists who competed in the Beijing Games - 14 of the Beijing athletes and eight actual medals were poolside. Sporting enthusiasts who attended celebrated their great success and were overwhelmed to be so close to our heroes – a lucky few actually experienced the thrill of holding an Olympic medal.

During the evening, Beijing Olympian Tony Jeffries topped an outstanding year by scooping the top gong of Sports Personality of the Year to take pride of place alongside his Olympic bronze and join his many other accolades since achieving Beijing success  Tony joins the ranks of Jonny Wilkinson, Paul Collingwood and Jonathon Edwards and was awarded the special accolade for his achievements in British boxing including seven times national champion, five European medals, nine multi nation medals and the first Olympic medallist from Sunderland.

North East hero Steve Cram was presented with the Jackie Milburn award. Over his career, he has won a total of eight medals, including six golds, and remains the UK record holder over the mile, 1500 metres and 2000 metres. With this impressive CV plus his outstanding contribution to sport on an international, national and local level there could not be a more worthy winner.

One of the region’s brightest young stars, Jemma Lowe, was presented with the Junior Sports Achievement award after a fantastic year including three top ten finishes at the Beijing Olympics. Ranked sixth in the world in 200m Butterfly and British Record holder for the same event Jemma is already out classing her age group as British Seniors Champion in 100m and 200m Butterfly and is definitely one to look out for in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The Disabled Sports Person of the Year award went to the North East medallists of ParalympicGB – Terry Bywater, Stephen Miller, Hazel Simpson and Fran Williamson.

Paralympic club thrower Stephen Miller also went away with the Performance of the Year award, and Durham County Cricket Club Coach Geoff Cook was crowned Coach of the Year.

Meanwhile, Roger Tames was commended with the Ralph Hindle Memorial, Support to Sport award.

Organisations were also recognised for their contributions to sport. The Governing Body of Sport, Roger Hopson Memorial was presented to British Orienteering, whilst the Team of the Year award went to Durham County Cricket Club.

The winner of the BBC North East and Cumbria Sports Unsung Hero Award, Guy Fawkes, Head Coach at Billingham Amateur Swimming Club, was also announced at the ceremony.

Judith Rasmussen, regional director for Sport England North East, commented:  “Once again it’s been a fantastic sporting year in the North East. It was a privilege to celebrate the tremendous achievements of some amazing people, from those behind the scenes of grass root sports to world champions.

“As always the calibre of nominees was extremely high and all deserve to be very proud of the great job they do in sport in the region. The North East has a lot to shout about in its contribution to the Games in Beijing and the North East Sports Awards gave us a fitting platform to pay tribute to the success of our athletes and the people who work tirelessly to support them behind the scenes. It was wonderful to have so many sporting stars with us this evening.

“We hope that many will be inspired by the achievements of the winners this year, be it to start participating in sport for fun and enjoyment or to push even further for success on the world stage.”

Winners

Sports Personality of the Year: Tony Jeffries

Jackie Milburn Memorial Award: Steve Cram

Roger Hopson Memorial, Governing Body of Sport: British Orienteering

Disabled Sports Award: North East ParalympicGB medallists

Performance of the Year: Stephen Miller

Junior Sports Awards: Jemma Lowe

Ralph Hindle Memorial, Support to Sport: Roger Tames

Team of the Year: Durham County Cricket Club

Coach of the Year: Geoff Cook

BBC Unsung Hero: Guy Fawkes