Alnwick sporting champions honoured at awards night

Fourteen trophies for sporting achievement in 2015 were handed out to individuals and teams in the annual event organised by the Alnwick and District Sports Council.

Guest of honour, former National Hunt jockey and Grand National winner Tony Dobbin, handed out the awards and entertained the packed Playhouse with a question-and-answer session.

The evening culminated in the presentation of the Northumberland Gazette Sports Personality of the Year, which went to Chris O’Donnell, 24, from Longhoughton, who won a hatful of medals, including two golds, at the European Down’s Syndrome Swimming Competition. Chris won the reader poll and follows in the footsteps of some famous local names, including Lucy Bronze, Laura Weightman and Cyrus Pattinson.

And the winners were...

Junior Female Award, sponsored by Lilburn’s: AMY THORNE. Also nominated: Grace Castle and Jessica Pattinson

Junior Male Award, sponsored by His Grace the Duke of Northumberland: FINN GAVIN. Also nominated: Benji Gillingham, Ben Kelly and Bradley Spiers

Junior Achievement Award, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Alnwick: JESSICA PATTINSON. Also nominated: Isabella Baker-Cresswell, Grace Castle, Jack Carrigan and Robert Stephenson, Jessica Pattinson and Matthew Stewart

Junior Team Award, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Amble and Warkworth: ALNMOUTH & LESBURY UNDER 13s CRICKET TEAM. Also nominated: Alnmouth and Lesbury U14s Cricket Team, Alnwick Rugby Club U12s, Alnwick Swimming & Lifesaving Club Sports Team and Alnwick Tri Club Juniors

Most Improved Sports Person Award, sponsored by The Alnwick Accountants: CHRIS McDONNELL. Also nominated: Maureen Bartram and Victoria Curry

Volunteer of the Year Award, sponsored by Shepherds Walks: JOHN ROBERTSON. Also nominated: Richard Agan and Bill Thompson

Senior Female Award, sponsored by Purple Aviation: LUCY BRONZE. Also nominated: Jo Gascoigne–Owens and Leslie Miller

Senior Male Award, sponsored by TreeLocate: CYRUS PATTINSON. Also nominated: Carl Avery and Ian Simon

Senior Achievement Award, sponsored by the George F White: CARL AVERY. Also nominated: Shelly Coates and Scott Gibson

Senior Team Award, sponsored by Tustain Motors: ALNMOUTH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB. Also nominated: Alnwick Harriers Ladies Cross Country Running Team and Alnwick Rugby Football Club Third 15

Coach of the Year Award, sponsored by Alnorthumbria Veterinary Group: GEOFF CAMPBELL. Also nominated: Mark Hedley and Angus Robson

Services to Sport Award, sponsored by Aldi: BILL CUNNINGHAM. Also nominated: Anne Allan and Neil Robson

Club of the Year Award, sponsored by Propology: ALNWICK RUGBY CLUB. Also nominated: Alnwick Town Football Club Girls and Alnwick Sea Swimmers

Northumberland Gazette Sports Personality of the Year: CHRIS MCDONNELL. Also nominated: Lucy Bronze, Bill Cunningham, Tamsin Green, Cyrus Pattinson and Brian Thompson

Interviews with the winners and pictures in next week’s Northumberland Gazette.