A golden sporting night to remember (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

A golden sporting night to remember

Powerlifting legend Bill West, who was named 2003's Salisbury Journal Sports Personality of the Year. DA4952P012SALISBURY'S sporting stars were shining on Thursday when, after weeks of build up, the winners of the 2003 Journal Sports Awards were announced.

The evening kicked off with the now traditional review of the year in sport, during which clips of some of the highlights of the past 12 months were projected onto a big screen.

Tensions ran high in a City Hall packed with sporting talent as Salisbury's fastest, fittest and finest went head-to-head in more than 40 categories.

While many winners consolidated their success of recent years, there were plenty of surprises too as trophies changed hands and unsuspecting guests were called to the stage to collect special awards in recognition of their contribution to Salisbury's sports scene.

The excitement grew to fever pitch as the prestigious awards for best sportsman, woman and team were announced before an audience of almost 400.

And many of those who work tirelessly behind the scenes were also honoured at the event which has become an unmissable date in the region's sporting calendar.

The year brought much success for the city's young stars who showed the future is bright for Salisbury's sports scene.

Middle distance runner Sara Ponsford was crowned Young Athlete of the Year for the second time after a first-class season. "I'm so excited to get this," she said. "This year has been really good - probably better than last - and I'm training really hard to improve my times."

The Young Cricketer award went to South Wilts star Eddie Abel, also for the second time.

"I'm really pleased," he said. "I feel that I've improved a lot as a cricketer. This season I want to score plenty of runs and improve my record of 127 not out."

Young Equestrian of the Year Danny Dunne was delighted to get his prize saying he had a busy time ahead juggling riding commitments with his GCSEs.

Young Gymnast winner Helen O'Shea also has plenty on her plate. "I want to do really well in the level five competition in June," she said.

"It's very exciting, I haven't been nominated for a prize like this before and I can't believe I've won."

Winner of the Young Rugby Player award, Phillip Chesters came to the ceremony in the midst of England under 16 trials and said he hopes 2004 will bring him more success, while Young Swimmer of the Year Kimberley Woolford has the British National Champion-ships firmly in her sights.

Young Tennis winner Nick Brown hit the big time in 2003 when he got the chance to play at Wimbledon.

"It was just brilliant," he said. "It made me want to win even more so I can go back again."

Basketball player Alice Walton scooped Young Sports-woman of the Year while her team from St Edmund's School were also victorious.

"We have had the best year," said the jubilant girls. "The nationals were just amazing.

"We're still playing together and we're in different leagues now, but we're still winning."

For the boys, karting champion turned racing driver Ross Kurnow sped to victory in the Young Sportsman of the Year category for the second year in a row, with shotputter Kieren Kelly hot on his heels in second place.

There was as much excitement in the senior categories as a rapid succession of champions were presented with their trophies.

Daryl Bolter won his first of two awards when he was declared Amesbury Journal Sports Personality of the Year, followed minutes later by a win in the Motorbike rider category.

"I had a great year - being British Champion is obviously the highlight and I've got some exciting prospects this year," he said.

World champion powerlifter Bill West won the Salisbury Journal sports personality prize to add to his collection of titles from previous ceremonies.

"You can never predict these things," he said. "But it means as much to me every time I win something."

Groundsman at Salisbury Racecourse, Richard Hayter won his category for the third successive year and with more high profile races coming to Netherhampton this season, he is ready for a busy summer.

"There will be a lot to do," he said. "But I have a good team behind me and they must share the credit."

Sally Hunt became the first woman to win the angling category, and was most shocked of all. "I'm completely gobsmacked," she said. "I've had some good fishing this year but I really can't believe it."

Kieren Kelly built on the second place he received earlier in the evening to triumph in the Athlete of the Year contest.

"I'm aiming for the world juniors this year," he said.

"I'll have to do a lot of work but I'm determined to get there."

Another rising star is Boxer of the Year Adam Grigg.

"Salisbury's boxing scene is really starting to grow," he said. "I get brilliant support from my team and I want to thank everyone who voted for me and say respect to Henry Castle who equally deserved to win this award."

In hockey, Lisa Lovatt hopes her winning ways will inspire her team. "We have moved up a league so we are finding it a bit tougher," she said.

"But we've had some good performances and I'm really pleased to win this."

In cycling Ian Ayliffe said he was delighted to be crowned winner after many early morning starts and plenty of hard work, and Tennis Player of the Year Keith Richardson was equally delighted after a great 2003.

John Postance was winner of the Volleyball award, introduced for the first time this year.

"It's a great sport that is getting more popular all the time," he said.

"It's very easy to learn - we now have four teams and it's very satisfying to see how much the young people enjoy playing it."

After a great season for South Wilts, Paul Draper was thrilled to be crowned Cricketer of the Year while Emily Cooke retained her title in the rugby category making it five years in a row the England winger has collected the honour.

"This is brilliant - I'm going to aim to get my name all round the shield," she said.

"I'm really chuffed - it means as much now as when I first won it and it's nice to know people still support me after all these years."

With two world champions among the nominees, there was always going to be tough competition in the powerlifting category, and as soon as Lee Steggles was announced the winner, she paid tribute to her team-mates.

"Everyone has been brilliant this year," she said. "We have some great new talent and it's a very exciting time for us all."

Salisbury City skipper Scott Bartlett was awarded the Footballer of the Year trophy for his achievements with the Whites, while Sam Elkins won both the junior and senior golf accolades.

For the second year running, Salisbury Racecourse was declared top sporting venue - clearly an appreciation by the public of its continued ability to attract top-name stars from the racing world to the area.

And as the Journal's Sports Awards prosper, the sport of kings was this year recognised with its own category.

Legendary trainer David Elsworth was clear winner of the Services to Horseracing Award after another superb year which saw his Whitsbury-trained Persian Punch reach the £1 million prize money mark.

"We had a great season and I'm very pleased to get this prize," he said. "But I can't really take the credit - it's all down to the horses."

Shrewton United FC stalwart Stuart Withers won the trophy for Outstanding Service to a club or sporting organisation in recognition of the 35 years he has dedicated to the club.

"I couldn't imagine playing for anyone else," he said.

"It's nice to be recognised like this but it's all thanks to the team."

The powerlifters marched on to further success when rising star Paul Newell, who finished second in the World Championships in Austria, was named Best Newcomer.

"It's been a fantastic year for all of us and obviously in Salisbury I have some great role models," he said.

"Vienna was a real highlight and I'll be looking to qualify for the World Championships again."

Talking of success, the keenly contested Manager/coach of the Year category was again won by Salisbury City's Nick Holmes who steered his team all the way to the first round proper of the FA Cup where the club enjoyed a memorable day out at Hillsborough.

"It's nice to win - the year was incredible," he said. "We've had great local support and that's really inspired us all."

Salisbury's rugby hero Richard Hill was the recipient of a special award celebrating his extraordinary achievement in helping England win the World Cup in Australia.

With Hill preparing for the Six Nations match with Scotland, the RFU's south west manager Rob Drinkwater accepted the award on behalf of the former Bishop Wordsworth's pupil.

There was also a surprise for the Journal photographic team who received the Mike Turner Award for outstanding contribution to Journal Sport for their fantastic sports photography throughout 2003.

A montage of just some of their work was shown on the large screen.

With so many sporting greats already clutching awards, tension mounted as time came to announce the Sportswoman, Sportsman and Team of the Year.

An elated Lee Steggles simply can't stop winning at the moment and powered her way to victory for the first time in the women's category.

"This is just brilliant," she said. "It's all coming together for me.

"I'm 41, I went to Vienna and lifted more than I ever have before.

"I'm just so excited by how well everything is going."

Meanwhile, the Sportsman of the Year title went to motor racing's Alan Blencowe who was equally delighted as he claimed his second prize of the night. "This is the first time I've won the sportsman award so it's great," he said.

"Things are going really well and this is the icing on the cake."

Finally, the nominations for Team of the Year were announced.

There was no surprise when Salisbury City were declared winners.

Amid cheers and a chorus of We Are The Champions, the popular squad ran onto the stage to collect their trophy before watching brief highlights of their FA Cup match against Sheffield Wednesday on the big screen.

"This is fantastic," said smiling skipper Scott Bartlett.

"We're so pleased, the year has been brilliant, but we've still got another 13 games of the season left and we're going to carry on doing the best we can."