For immediate Release
30/10/2018
Everybody Awards 2018: Winners Announcement
The Everybody Awards 2018 sponsored by Applewood Independent, took place on Friday 26th October at the prestigious Wrenbury Hall; recognising exceptional achievements of sporting and community heroes in Cheshire East.
Over 180 guests enjoyed the evening with more nominations than ever before. The awards were presented by former Olympic Silver and double Commonwealth Gold medal competitive swimmer Sharron Davies MBE and British Triathlete and four time World Ironman Champion Chrissie Wellington OBE, who gave an inspiring keynote speech about her journey as a Triathlete
Sports Personality of the Year – Sponsored by Applewood Independent
Shortlist:
- Polly Holden- British Summer Nationals Gold Medallist Freestyle Swimmer- Nantwich.
- Tom and Ben Curry- Professional rugby player and international rugby player for Sale Sharks- Crewe and Nantwich.
- Nicola Bruce- Ultra Marathon long distance runner- Shavington.
Winner: Nicola Bruce
Nicola is a dedicated and highly motivated long-distance runner. 18 months ago she was running 10k, and now she is an ultra marathon runner competing at international level; ultra marathons being anything marathon distance and over. Nick has very recently run the toughest 24hr race in the UK, where she completed 82 miles with a total elevations of 21,000ft, finishing as the 1st lady and coming 5th overall. This was a punishing and gruelling test of endurance, self-believe and sheer willpower. An impressive event to finish, let alone win.
Young Sports Achiever of the Year– Sponsored by Brakes
Shortlist:
- Eleanor Heeps- Goalkeeper- Sandbach.
- Alana Gauntlett- Crewe and Nantwich Rugby club.
- Abby Warren- Crewe Rifle and Pistol club.
- Sian Heslop- Athlete at Macclesfield Harriers.
- Thomas Owen Brindley- Youth Laser Radial Sailor from Redesmere Sailing Club in Macclesfield.
Winner: Abby Warren
Abby started shooting in 2011 at Crewe Rifle and Pistol club and with her scout group. After less than a year in the National Scout Squad, she was invited to join the Great Britain Junior Rifle Squad. Abby was the youngest British athlete selected by British Shooting to take part in the World Championships in Changwon, Korea in September 2018.
Disabled Sports Achiever of the Year – Sponsored by SpeedFlex
Shortlist:
- Jack Wimpenny- Nantwich Lifesaving Club.
- Sean Savage- Seahorse Swimming Club- Crewe.
- Nathan Greenford- Alpha Swimming- Crewe.
Winner: Sean Savage
Sean is a member of Seahorse Swimming Club and has recently completed a sponsored event to raise funds for the N.W. Air Ambulance. His 999 mission – 9-mile swim, 9-mile walk and a 9-mile bicycle ride, has so far raised £350 for the charity. In recent years Sean has also raised hundreds of pounds during his swimming sessions for Sports Relief and St. Luke’s Hospice, where he volunteers during the week. As well as his fundraising efforts, Sean has been a successful swimmer for Seahorse at the Halliwick galas for the last six years. During 2017 he won 2 gold medals at a regional level and a bronze at a national level.
Coach of the Year – Sponsored by Cornerstone
Shortlist:
- Maddie Ascroft- Crewe and Nantwich Gymnastics Club.
- Peter Brady- Kenzoku Martial Arts- Congleton.
- Grace Dodd- Cheshire Blades – Nantwich.
- Hugh Dokter- Dane Valley Amateur Swimming Club- Congleton.
- Russ Crawford- Nantwich Seals Swimming Club- Nantwich.
Winner: Grace Dodd
This time last year Grace completed her FA Level 2 and has become such a strong and creative coach ever since. She’s built rapport with every player she’s coached and there isn’t a player that hasn’t improved under her coaching. She tailors her coaching to the players individually and tries hard to make the sessions fun. Any team she coaches become one big family.
Health & Wellbeing – Sponsored by FLM Training
Shortlist:
- Andrea O’ Neill- Millfields Primary School- Nantwich.
- One to one Midwives- Crewe.
- Kate Blakemore- Motherwell Cheshire- Crewe.
- Action on Cancer- Crewe and Nantwich.
Winner: Andrea O’ Neill- Millfields Primary School
Andrea is an After School Club Coordinator at Millfields Primary School. She teaches all children that anyone can be good at sport and encourages everyone to come and have a go. Andrea is also a full time Teaching Assistant and juggles her time between classes and activities, often missing her lunch to write letters to parents for permission, sort kits and other tasks.
Club of the Year – Sponsored by TechnoGym
Shortlist:
- Kenzoku Martial Arts- Congleton.
- South Cheshire Amateur Boxing Club- Crewe.
- Cheshire Stars Netball Club- Middlewich.
- Cheshire Blades Football Club- Nantwich.
- Dane Valley Swimming Club- Congleton.
Winner: South Cheshire Amateur Boxing Club
South Cheshire ABC opened its doors in 2014 with approximately 15 adults and 10 junior members. The junior section, with the introduction of the Junior boxing initiative, has increased considerably with over 100 juniors attending per week in 2018. The club is at the heart of the community, both in terms of their location and their objectives.
Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by BWB
Shortlist:
- Kath and Mike Povall- Health Walks- Nantwich.
- Grace Dodd- Cheshire Blades Football- Nantwich.
- Hayley & Adrian Glover- Crewe Flyers Swimming Club.
Winner: Kath and Mike Povall
Kath & Mike have delivered health walks from the Barony Sports Complex for more than 10 years. They volunteer their time to give people the opportunity to get outdoors and active within Nantwich. Each week they lead a walking group that meets at the Barony Sports Complex and ends with a warm drink and social. They also run a Step by Step walking club every Wednesday and Tuesday, which they started after Mike had a heart attack. Their aim is to help people lose weight so they are less at risk of a heart issues. Over the years they have helped people to become active, increase their health and fitness, and encouraged people to socialise that might feel lonely.
Young Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by Crewe Town Council
Shortlist:
- Fran Townsend- Alsager Netball Club and Alsager Bridgestone Swimming Club.
- Alex Peake- Youngest Coach at Crewe FC
- Ebony Wood- Ladyhawks Netball Club- Nantwich.
- Helen Robertson- Nantwich Lifesaving Club.
Winner: Fran Townsend
Fran is a member of Alsager Netball Club and Alsager Bridgestone Swimming Club. Without being asked, Fran volunteered to run fitness sessions once a week for both clubs and besides an increase in their fitness and stamina levels, Fran’s enthusiasm has inspired some members to take their own fitness more seriously and work on it in their own time too. She has also started volunteering as a swimming teacher for Everybody Leisure and umpires for her netball club and school netball games too!
Everybody Customer Hero – Sponsored by SAS Daniels
Shortlist:
- Stephen Pennell- Crewe Lifestyle Centre.
- Hannah Guthrie- Holmes Chapel Community Centre.
- Paul Wilshaw- Alsager Leisure Centre.
- Mark Rimmer- Sandbach Leisure Centre.
- Arthur Crago- Congleton Leisure Centre.
Winner: Mark Rimmer
When Mark first came to the Everybody Leisure facilities, he had faced several health related challenges and felt nervous about any form of exercise including walking up the stairs, let alone getting on any of the machines in the gym! He now trains 4 to 5 times a week and is thrilled with his progress. Mark has improved his strength, stamina and most importantly his mental health.
Chairman’s Award- Sponsored by Everybody Sport and Recreation.
The Chairman’s Award is a new category to the Everybody Awards. An award which recognises a nominee even further for their dedication to sport, health and wellbeing in Cheshire East. This years winner was Nicola Bruce for her dedication and commitment to sport. Nicola’s dedication is admirable! From the pure hard work and commitment she puts into her training, she really is a phenomenal member. Nicola trains early morning before work, after work and weekends and she always does it with a smile on her face. When Nicola runs, she is often offered sponsorship money which is given to the Everybody Foundation, a registered charity (No. 117473) that raises funds to support individuals and groups to promote a healthy and active lifestyle.
Lifetime Achievement winner Pat Arnott – Sponsored by XN Leisure
Pat Arnott has been running Alsager Netball Club since she set it up in 1997. She was 73 this year and keeps up a busy schedule of netball commitments across the Cheshire East and North Staffordshire area.
During the week Pat helps run the busy Stoke-On-Trent Netball League which caters for teenagers and older adults and still umpires here and elsewhere when needed. She is a Congleton Netball League umpire and regularly attends the Committee meetings making contributions to the league. She dedicates time to training Alsager Netball Club for girls aged between 12 and 18 along with training for boys and girls from Year 2 to Year 7. For those looking to get back to netball she runs a Back to Netball session and has recently started a Walking Netball Session for the U3A in Alsager which is proving very popular.
With all that netball activity in the week you would think she would be resting at the weekends but instead Pat tends to be at Netball matches! 8 teams playing in 3 different leagues her Sundays involve travelling around the North West to help coach and umpire.
Recently, she has also helped train two coaches to a Level 2 standard this year in order to ensure Alsager Netball Club can cope with the increasing numbers. As well as being on several committees including the Cheshire Junior Netball League where she is Vice Chair.
Far from winding down since she turned 70 Pat seems to be doing more than ever with extra training planned for the next season in September.
For more information on the Everybody Awards and to nominate for 2019 visit www.everybodyawards.org.uk.
Notes to Editor
Everybody Sport & Recreation – Everybody Sport and Recreation is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. As a Health and Wellbeing Charity, Everybody Sport and Recreation aims to provide ‘leisure for life’ by changing lives through healthy recreation. The charity operates 15 leisure facilities across the Cheshire East region as well as a range of Health, Leisure Development and Outreach programmes and the new Everybody Academy, providing local training and career opportunities. For more information please visit: www.everybody.org.uk or follow on Twitter @ebleisure.
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