Local sporting heroes were crowned victorious yesterday (9 July) at the Ealing Sports Awards 2019.
Run in partnership between Ealing Council and Everyone Active, the ceremony took place at William Perkin Church of England School in Greenford and was well attended, with special guests including Sky Sports presenter Marcus Buckland and Alice Tai, a British parasport swimmer who has won medals at Paralympic, World and European levels, handing out awards and speaking.
The annual Ealing Sports Awards is aimed at recognising the talents and achievements of the borough’s multitude of sports clubs, inspirational volunteers and fantastic sporting individuals.
Following a borough-wide call to find and honour those who have contributed to the health and well-being of residents and towards sport locally, 158 nominations were received across the nine categories.
Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for finance and leisure, said: “I was really blown away with the exceptional quality of this year’s nominations and the phenomenal work of the great coaches, volunteers, clubs and sportspeople we have across our borough. Ealing can really be proud of our current crop of sporting heroes who each shone last night and are truly inspirational examples of what anyone can achieve.
“Congratulations to all the winners and all the nominees. With dedication, hard work and focus anything can be achieved and our sports stars are a testament to this.
“The importance of these awards cannot be understated because it gives us the opportunity to recognise some of the amazing talent around us and I hope that Ealing residents will share the same brimming pride that I had looking at those talented individuals and teams and encourage those stars of the future.”
Phil Edwards, Everyone Active contract manager said: “We were delighted to be a part of the fourth Ealing Sports Awards, each year this event just keeps getting better and better and the standard of sport is just phenomenal. It certainly lived up to expectations, celebrating the amazing clubs and individuals we have here in Ealing.
“Everyone Active is committed to providing a range of opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to be more active within their local community, and we’re proud to have supported on this event with Ealing Council to celebrate those who also share this passion. We’d like to say a huge congratulations to all the nominees and the winners on their achievements.”
The 2019 Ealing Sports Awards winners are as follows:
The 2019 Ealing Sports Awards winners in each category are as follows:
Adult Volunteer of the Year – Clare Cogswell (Ealing Hockey Club)
Adult Sports Person of the Year – Rachel Morgan (VI Tennis player – Ealing LTC)
Junior Volunteer of the Year – Bethany Smith (BMX), Thomas Curtis (Ealing Hockey Club)
Inclusive and Active award – Matthew Soanes (Ealing Swimming Club)
Junior Club of the Year – Ealing Cricket Club
Junior Sports Person of the Year – Maximo Libid (Tae Kwon Do), Mohamed Ali (Athletics)
Coach of the Year – Melanie Chowns (West London Eagles Handball Club)
Sports Club of the Year – West London Eagles Handball Club
Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award – Barbara Blanch (Table Tennis)
