FOOTBALLER Georgia Stanway, speedway star Dan Bewley and inspirational marathon man Gary McKee were among the major winners at the Cumbria Sports Awards.
Stanway was named Cumbria’s Sports Personality for 2022 for her part in helping England’s Lionesses win the European Championships.
The Barrovian, who plays for Bayern Munich, was a key player for Sarina Wiegman’s side throughout the tournament.
And she was saluted by another Cumbrian football star – Dean Henderson – who told the BBC of Stanway: “She made the whole country proud, and inspired a generation of young girls out there.”
In the awards, held by Active Cumbria, Maryport speedway ace Bewley was the winner of performance of the year.
The 23-year-old was hailed for an “outstanding 2022” when he became British champion and won back-to-back grands prix in Cardiff and Poland.
The special award went to Cleator Moor man McKee amid his extraordinary bid to run a marathon every day this year.
Among those hailing McKee was the Carlisle United manager Paul Simpson, who said his fundraising efforts for Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice at Home West Cumbria were “absolutely incredible”.
The team of the year award went to Upper Eden Rugby Club.
Aileen Grant, development officer at Active Cumbria, described their “incredible success”, including a 27-game unbeaten run and outstanding victories in the county cup.
Junior sports personality of the year is javelin prospect Callum Harrogate, from Broughton.
Richard Johnston, senior manager at Active Cumbria, said Callum had only took up javelin at the start of 2022 and had already claimed six titles including a national championship in Scotland. “He continues to improve his personal best and has a staggering 22 golds from 24 meetings,” he said.
Becky Underwood Volunteer of the year went to Stephen Reed of Cockermouth Rugby Union Club.
Announcing his award was the Barrow AFC manager Pete Wild, who said of Reed: “From coaching, fundraising, ground work, first aid provision, he’s an integral part of the club and particularly in helping the club come back from Covid.
“He re-established Cockermouth Colts, providing an opportunity for young people to re-engage in rugby union, also going the extra mile to source funding and sponsorship.”
Disability performance of the year was awarded to wheelchair basketball star Tyler Baines, from Barrow, who helped England win a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games, including the winning points in the final.
He was described as a “remarkable sportsman and incredible role model.”
Junior team of the year were Eden Eagles Under-11’s dodgeball team who, as Active Cumbria development officer Clare Paling described, were “not only crowned national champions but went undefeated in the whole competition.”
The Active Education Award was presented to Rockcliffe C of E School.
Kelly Alty, development officer at Active Cumbria, said the school had “shown their commitment to a broadening range of physical education opportunities available to all pupils with the aim of improving health and wellbeing.”
She highlighted new after-school clubs and the way the school had inspired children to try new sports, as well as success in county football finals.
There was further success for Eden Dodgeball Club in the community group or club category.
Anna Larden, project officer at Active Cumbria, said the club provides opportunities for children and young people from the age of five, and has grown to more than 70 members.
They operate “in a fun and friendly way, showing everyone enjoys being active, making new friends and connections.”
The service to sport award went to rugby union stalwart Mike Firby.
Kelly Alty from Active Cumbria said he had shown “tireless dedication” to the sport for 40 years, helping “ensure rugby union continues to prosper throughout Cumbria”, including his role in appointing referees, officiating games himself and being a “fantastic mentor” in the process.
Coach of the year is Penrith’s Mark Holding, who it was said had given “38 years” of dedication to coaching karate, from four-year-olds to national champions, whilst being accepted onto the England panel of coaches.
He had done an “immense job”, said Active Cumbria’s Richard Metcalf.
There were three rising star awards given to junior sports people – Carlisle hammer thrower Joshua Reibbitt, Wigton boxer Lexi Dixon and Tebay tug-of-war star Carley Thwaites.
Fifteen-year-old Reibbitt was praised for his rise to England number one at his age level and three major titles, including England Schools Athletics gold.
Dixon was hailed as Cumbria’s first female national champion in boxing and someone who had represented England and become a Great Britain champion – along with her “dedication to training and ability to engage with and inspire other young people" at Wigton Amateur Boxing Club.
Thwaites, meanwhile, was described as hugely determined after being spotted by the England junior tug of war manager whilst competing in a junior farmers’ contest. She has since been selected for England’s Under-19s.
All the winners were announced on BBC Radio Cumbria during the week as well as Active Cumbria's Facebook page.
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