The awards, organised by Brighton and Hove City Council’s Sports Development Team, recognises the achievements of local sporting heroes and this year a record 155 nominations were received.
The nominees included sports coaches, teachers and volunteers delivering a wide range of sporting activities across the city.
Mayor of Brighton and Hove Councillor Denise Cobb said: “It’s crucial people get the recognition they deserve, because without evenings such as this they would not be getting the exposure.
“I’m sports mad myself and I wish I had the volunteers, clubs, coaches and opportunities on show today when I was younger.
“I think sport is very important to Brighton and Hove and everywhere really – there are so many upsides not to mention the health benefits to everyone.
“It’s vital to reach beyond mainstream areas where it’s harder to get what you need out of sports – and the city is addressing that.”
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One team who excelled this year were Balfour Primary School’s tag rugby team, who were crowned national champions and will run out ahead of England v Australia at Twickenham as part of their prize.
The school was crowned Freedom Leisure Sports School of the Year, and headteacher of Balfour Primary School Robin Marlin said: “I think it’s a huge accolade for Balfour Primary School and all the amazing people involved in the whole school community.
“I am extremely proud of the award. I think we have to mention the tag rugby champions – I’m so proud of them.
“They fought like gladiators to take part and to come home with the cup is just an extraordinary achievement, so to get this award on the back of that makes it that little bit sweeter.”
Anne Baverstock, administrator and coach at Brighton Phoenix Basketball Club who won the TAKEPART Club of the Year, said: “The award is fantastic recognition for the work of our volunteers and coaches.
“We’ve been working more closely with the community, schools, and TAKEPART so it’s amazing to get recognition for that.
“Our under-11s are the county league champions and for this award to come on the back of that really is the icing on the cake.
“A lot of people are put off by the football culture and being outside in the winter, so there are people who want to get away from that.
“But essentially, as long as kids and people are being kept active and, more importantly, are exercising their teamwork skills, then I’m happy.”
Councillor Geoffrey Bowden, chairman of Economic Development and Culture Committee, said: “I think it’s very important evenings like this take place to recognise the work of coaches who produce our young talent and all the people who are consistently going above and beyond the call of duty.
“Many of them are volunteers too and they work with younger people who are young and fit all the way through to the older generation to get them into sports and promote a healthier way of life.
“More and more older people are getting into sports they were simply never doing before and we are a city of sports fans – and that’s thanks to the work of some of these incredible people.”
Each winner’s story was captured in a short pre-recorded film showing the reasons they beat the rest to top place.
The mini-films were screened in the Music Room and can be seen online at brightonhove.gov.uk/sportsawards
Volunteer of the Year: Christine Belk
The Volunteer of the Year award went to Christine Belk for her work with Vertigirls – a Sussex rock climbing club for women which is part of outdoor activity organisation Adventure Unlimited in Brighton.
Christine was diagnosed as bipolar when she was 41, and the diagnosis and her passion for rock climbing changed her life.
Christine, originally from Minnesota, bounded up on stage and celebrated wildly when she received her award and said: “I’m just so, so happy to have won this award.
“Just watching women grow in confidence and all the love in the club makes what I do so much easier.
“With my condition, I never know what’s going to happen, so to have a focus such as rock climbing means all my problems just disappear while I’m there.
“I believe human beings were put on the planet to help other human beings, and what I’m doing was just meant to be.
“When I was diagnosed, it completely changed my life. “At last I knew what was wrong with me, because before I thought I was weird.
“I know what to do now when I am up and when I am down and I understand the reasons for that.
“But when I’m climbing, all that melts away.
“Brighton is an amazing place because of its liberal views on mental health issues too, so I couldn’t have picked a better city to be at.”
Special Contribution Award: Ray Carter
AT THE other end of the scale was Ray Carter, who proudly took home the Special Contribution Award after calling time on 38 years of teaching in the city.
He said: “It’s absolutely amazing to be chosen for this award; it’s a perfect way to call time on my teaching career.
“I have been in a very privileged position working with children and watching them grow through sport.
“There hasn’t been any one stand-out moment, but rather a celebration of so many children’s selfesteem
that I’ve seen be boosted through sport over the years.
“It’s so important every child gets the chance to express themselves, which is why I’ve sometimes run four football teams to make sure everyone gets a game.
“Schools these days are judged by Ofsted inspections, but my theory was always that the children have to come first.
“Teachers’ time gets taken up by paperwork and preparing for inspections – and sadly that is at the cost of extra-curricular activities.”
Young Sports Personality of the Yea: Amber Anning
A name to remember is Amber Anning, who continues to make the headlines after an incredible couple of years.
Inspired by Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill CBE, Amber took up athletics at the age of five and has since excelled to become the highest-ranked under-13 pentathlete and 60m sprinter in the UK.
Accepting her Young Sports Personality of the Year award, Amber who attends Roedean School said: “I just want to say a big thank you to my club and coaches, and of course my parents who have supported me every step of the way.
“This season has been really annoying because I’ve had a calf injury, so sitting there watching all my friends compete is really tough.
But I’m back running now and it’s the cross-country season so I’m looking forward to that and a few indoor meets too.
“I think my favourite event at the minute is the 200m, I like my sprints.
“Although I like competing individually, I love being part of a team and travelling to the events, relaxing together away from the track.
“I’ve got quite a few role models and people I look up to, Usain Bolt, Jess Ennis-Hall, Mo Farah and Christine Ohuruogu – I still can’t believe she won her race at the Olympics.
“The dream is to follow in my heroes’ footsteps and represent Team GB at the Olympics.”
The Winners
Freedom Leisure Sports school of the year: BALFOUR PRIMARY SCHOOL
Sport/pe Teacher Of The Year:JESS GRINDLEY, DOROTHY STRINGER – organiser of the sporting curriculum and a wide range of extra curricular clubs
Coach/instructor Of The Year: JP OMARI – local dance expert
Volunteer Of The Year: CHRISTINE BELK - organises a rock climbing group
Active For Life Participation Award: OUR CHOICE (hosted by Adventure Unlimited and BHCC
Participation Team) – a project for providing activities for young people in care
Takepart Club Of The Year: BRIGHTON PHOENIX BASKETBALL CLUB
Seethat Team Of The Year: STEREOSHOK – young streetdance world champions
Young Sports Personality Of The Year:AMBER ANNING – pentathlon and track champion
Sports Personality Of The Year: CHARLIE GRICE – World class athlete
Special Contribution Award: RAY CARTER, PATCHAM JUNIOR – ifelong supporter of sport in schools
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