Finalists for the 2009 Derbyshire Sports Awards are revealed

16 October 2009

The finalists for the 2009 Derbyshire Sports Awards, sponsored by the University of Derby, have been revealed.

Sports Awards launch - people with racquet

In a few weeks time the county’s brightest sporting stars, coaches and volunteers will gather at Derby’s Pride Park Stadium to find out who has won each of the 14 coveted trophies.

The event, organised by Derbyshire Sport, will culminate with the announcement of who has been named this year’s University of Derby Sportsperson of the Year.

Hoping to get their hands on the top trophy will be Derby’s international power lifter Mark Gregory, and North East Derbyshire’s world bobsleigh champion Nicola Minichiello. Both have enjoyed international success over the past year in their respective sports, and will be hoping to add to that with recognition from the county in which they live.

Meanwhile the University of Derby Disabled Sportsperson of the Year category will once again see wheelchair basketball player Jon Hall from Bolsover and swimmer David Ellis from Heanor go head to head, with Jon hoping to take the title for a second year in a row.

Also shortlisted by the judges is Dronfield squash player Russell Clark, Buxton boxer Jack Massey and Chesterfield table tennis player Liam Pitchford, who are all vying for the title of University of Derby Junior Sportsman of the Year.

Contenders in the University of Derby Junior Sportswoman of the Year category are Bolsover kickboxer Natalia Rea, and Quarndon snooker player Hannah Jones who will be hoping to add to her trophy cabinet after being named Sportsperson of the Year at the Derbyshire School Sports Awards last month.

The full list of finalists is below. Winners will be announced during a ceremony at Pride Park Stadium on Friday, November 13.

As well as recognition for elite performers, awards will also be given to people from all areas of sport, from community heroes and coaches to those who have contributed to school sport at grassroots level.

District awards ceremonies have been held across the county to determine the finalists that have gone through to the Derbyshire Sports Awards.

As well as the University of Derby, other sponsors of the awards evening include the Derby Telegraph, Derby County Football Club, Origination, Derbyshire Sport, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, Derbyshire 2012, Connexions Derbyshire Limited and Derbyshire County Council.

A photocall to launch this year’s awards was held at the University of Derby’s Kedleston Road campus, overlooking its all weather sports pitch.

Ollie Shearer, Sports Development Co-ordinator at the University, said: “The University is committed to nurturing talent and we look forward to having the chance to celebrate the achievements of the top sports stars and young sports talent from the county at the Derbyshire Sports Awards this year.

“Sporting excellence, achievement and the benefits of sport to health are high on the University’s agenda, and through our sports development strategy we are striving to increase the number of students taking part in sport, improving performance and increasing the opportunities for all.”

University Vice-Chancellor Professor John Coyne, said: “Through events such as the Derbyshire Sports Awards we can showcase some of the great work that is happening in sport across the county and inspire others to get involved.”

The awards were resurrected in 2006 in recognition of the importance of paying tribute to the wealth of sporting talent in the county.

Councillor Clive Moesby, Chair of Derbyshire Sport, said: “My congratulations go to everyone who has made it this far in the awards process and to everyone who was nominated at district level.

“We have a wealth of talented sports performers and dedicated coaches and volunteers in the county, and we feel it is important to recognise the dedication these people show and the contribution that they make.

“I am sure it will be another great evening and I wish all the finalists the very best of luck.”

Winners of the Derbyshire Sports Awards could go through to the East Midlands Sports Awards and even to the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.

Pictured above, back from left, is Councillor Clive Moesby, Chair of Derbyshire Sport; Mark Gregory; University Vice-Chancellor Professor John Coyne and Ollie Shearer, Sports Development Co-ordinator at the University. Front from left is Lesley Sturgess and Hannah Jones.

Full list of finalists

University of Derby Junior Sportsman of the Year

Jack Massey (High Peak – Boxing)
Liam Pitchford (Chesterfield/NE Derbyshire - Table Tennis)
Russell Clark (Chesterfield/NE Derbyshire - Squash)

University of Derby Junior Sportswoman of the Year

Hannah Jones (Amber Valley – Snooker)
Natalia Rea (Bolsover – Kickboxing)

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service Junior Disabled Sportsperson of the Year

Jack Shephard (Chesterfield/NE Derbyshire – Athletics)
Maddie Thompson (High Peak - Wheelchair Basketball)

University of Derby Disabled Sportsperson of the Year

David Ellis (Amber Valley – Swimming)
Jon Hall (Bolsover - Wheelchair Basketball)

University of Derby Sportsperson of the Year

Mark Gregory (Derby City – Power Lifting)
Nicola Minichiello (Chesterfield/NE Derbyshire – Bobsleigh)

Derbyshire Sport Veteran Sportsperson of the Year

Lesley Sturgess (Derby City – Squash)
Les Pearson (South Derbyshire – Shooting)

Derbyshire 2012 Junior Team of the Year

Anthony Gell U14 Girls Basketball Team (Derbyshire Dales – Basketball)
Derby Trailblazers U18 Team (Derby City – Basketball)

Derbyshire County Council Team of the Year

Belper Ladies Hockey Club U18 Team (Amber Valley – Hockey)
Glossop North End Football Club (High Peak – Football)
Viking Canoe Polo ‘A’ Team (Derby City – Canoe Polo)

Derby County FC Club of the Year

Carsington Sailing Club (Derbyshire Dales – Sailing)
Colin Deaton Table Tennis Club (Chesterfield/NE Derbyshire – Table Tennis)
Derby Athletic Club (Derby City – Athletics)