Good sports

Liverpool FC legend Phil Thompson was just one of the region's sporting heroes picking up an award at the star-studded Ormskirk Advertiser Sports Awards, sponsored by Edge Hill University.

The event, held for the third year at the University's Ormskirk campus, was hosted by Neil Newton, presenter for Southport-based Dune FM. The guests were also entertained by a display from Spartac Gymnastics Club.

Phil, who lives in Aughton, won the prestigious Hall of Fame Award for his contribution to football. Other professional sports stars in attendance on the night included Sue Smith, an Edge Hill University graduate and former captain of the England Women's football team, and Jamie Burdekin, Paralympic bronze medal-winning tennis player.

The Sports Awards were born many years ago from a partnership between the Advertiser and West Lancashire Disability Sports Forum. The aim of this partnership is not only to celebrate sporting achievement in the district, but also to raise awareness of disability sport. The University was perfectly placed to host the event as it is home to many community sports clubs, including Spartac Gymnastics and Liverpool Pembroke Athletics Club, and attracts Premiership football squads such as Bolton Wanderers.

Paralympian Jamie Burdekin presented the Disability Achievement Award to Katie Maj. The seven-year-old gymnast managed to walk to collect her award after fighting two serious illnesses - a virus which resulted in developmental delays and the degenerative condition Leigh's Disease that left her wheel-chair-bound.

Edge Hill alumnus Sue Smith, who studied for a Sports Science degree at the University, presented the Unsung HeroAward to Samantha Eaton, a 13-year-old Up Holland High School pupil. She devotes many hours each week to managing a football team for men with learning difficulties - fundraising, advertising and assigning roles at the club, as well as collating all the stats and making certificates for the players.

The Disability Inclusion Award, presented by the Mayor of West Lancashire Councillor Geoff Roberts, went to Skem Men-Aces Football team. All its players and many of its support staff such as linesmen and referee, have learning difficulties.

The climax of the night was the Advertiser Sports Personality of the Year, a public vote with votes coming through the Ormskirk Advertiser and Skelmersdale Advertiser. The winner was Fran Halsall who made her mark on the world stage this year by winning a silver medal in the 100m freestyle at the World Swimming Championships in Rome.

Vice-Chancellor John Cater, who opened the ceremony said: "Sport matters to me and matters to this University. We have invested £7m in sport and this year we will seek planning permission to develop a further £25m of sporting facilities."

And the winners are...

Advertiser Junior Sports Personality of the Year

Winner - Alistair Nelson of Liverpool Pembroke Sefton Harriers and Athletic Club

Runners up - Nicola George of Aughton Tennis Club and cricketer Gavin Griffiths

Disability Achievement Award

Winner - Katie Maj

 
Junior Team of the Year

Winner - Skelmersdale Under-15s cricket team

Runner up - Ormskirk West End Under-7s Football Team

Unsung Hero

Winner - Samantha Eaton

Disability Inclusion Award

Winner - Skem Men-Aces Football team

Team of the Year

Winner - Ormskirk Cricket Club

Runner up - Ormskirk Rugby Club

Coach of the Year

Winner - Carl Welsh, of West Lancashire District Under-15s Cricket team, Skelmersdale Under-15s team and Skelmersdale Cricket Club

Runners up - Paul Cooper, of Ormskirk West End Under-8s and Under-12s, and Ian Gill, Chairman of Windmill Crown Green Bowling club, Ormskirk

Hall of Fame

Winner - Phil Thompson, former Liverpool FC full back

Advertiser Sports Personality of the Year

Winner - Swimmer Fran Halsall

Runners up - 800 metre runner Michael Rimmer and Olympic cyclist Bradley Wiggins