Sportsmen and women from all over Wiltshire were honoured last night at the Wiltshire and Swindon Sports Awards at the Corn Exchange in Devizes.

This is the first year of the Wiltshire and Swindon Sports Awards, organised in partnership by Wiltshire Council, Wiltshire and Swindon Activity and Sports Partnership, Swindon Borough Council, and NHS Wiltshire. The awards recognise and honour the work and achievements of sports clubs, volunteers, coaches and schools across the whole of Wiltshire and Swindon. The exciting evening saw over 100 people attend. The first part of the evening heard speakers including Councillor Stuart Wheeler, Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Wiltshire Council, Councillor Keith Williams, former Lead Member for Leisure from Swindon Borough Council, Maggie Rae, Joint Director of Public Health and Well-being of NHS Wiltshire and Wiltshire Council, Andrew Kerr, Chief Executive of Wiltshire Council and former Bath and England rugby international Phil de Glanville who then hosted the awards section. The winners in a total of 12 categories were announced and presented with their awards including: * Young Coach of the year – Edd Dobson Edd is a Level 1 Water sports coach for Devizes Canoe Club * Children’s Coach of the Year – Sharon Carling, Bradford on Avon Swimming Club.

Sharon co-ordinates and teaches the Bradford on Avon Swimming Club’s Learn to Swim programme. * Participation Coach of the Year – Jon Fearne, Salisbury Tri Club.

Jon is Level 2 Head Coach of Salisbury Tri Club whose training programmes for all levels has led to a growth in clubs membership from 20 to over 150 in two years.

* Performance Coach of the Year – Deb Hows, Esprit Gymnastics, Swindon Deb is a gymnastics coach to British and International medal winners and 10 qualifiers for the British Championships.

* Most Inclusive Club of the year – Joint winners Bradford on Avon Swimming Club and Wiltshire Wildcats Bradford on Avon Swimming Club has implemented a specific disability session into its training programme giving access to the sport for young people with physical and learning disabilities.

Wiltshire Wildcats is a wheelchair basketball club that allows both able and disabled to play together making it a completely inclusive.

* Most Innovative Club of the Year – MB Swindon MB Swindon are a mountain bike club who developed the Club through ‘build’ days and utilising IT including Facebook and created the MTB Forum.

* Young Volunteer of the Year – Tom Nott Tom is a volunteer coach and role model for young players at both Derry Hill Football Club and Calne Cricket Club * School Sports Project of the Year – Neil Mawdsley, Broadchalke Prinary School Neil is an inspirational teacher at Broadchalke School developing the sporting aspirations in children of all ages in a variety of sports.

* Unsung Hero of the year – Alan Crocker Derry Hill Football Club Calne Alan is the figure head of Derry Hill Football Club for numerous years and has been responsible for gaining the FA’s Charter Standard for the club, developing a girl’s section and leading a funding campaign for a new clubhouse.

* Sports Club/Team of the year – Tidworth Royals Football Club The club has a membership of 180, including 120 children and helps young people from military families integrate into their local community.

* Young Sports Personality of the Year – Jemima Dixberry of Devizes Judo Club Jemima has been a national judo medallist since the age of 11, Jemima has gone on to win a medal at every National Championship since and has won several European medals.

* Sports Personality of the Year – Emily Benham – Team GB Elite Squal Mountain Bike Orienteering and Sarum Orienteering Club.

Emily has been British Champion since 2009 at every distance, placed in both Junior and Senior World Championships and is currently ranked 15th in the World.

The final awards given were given to five individuals who have volunteered over 200 years in their chosen sport! The Outstanding Contribution to Sport in Wiltshire recipients are: Ralph Harding – 50 years at Aldbourne Lawn Tennis Club Geoff Hinder - 38 years to Swindon Badminton Club John Gale – 45 years at Corsham Cricket Club Tony Shardlow – 25 years at Corsham Cricket Club Graham Chambers – 38 years for Swindon Basketball Sharon Watson – 30 years at Croft Netball Club Also Highly Commended awards were presented to: Children’s Coach of the Year Dave Parsons -Coaches the Under 11’s section at Swindon Harriers, including the Wednesday evening session with up to 80 children.

Schools Sports Project of the Year Lynne Bull -Dedicated Trampoline Coach working with special needs pupils at both Pewsey and Rowdeford Schools.

Sports Club/Team of the Year West Wiltshire Diving Club -Delivers quality training, competitive and development opportunities at all levels.

Councillor Stuart Wheeler, Cabinet member for sport, leisure and culture said: "We know that tremendous work is done week in, week out across the county and we wanted to recognise that work and the people that make it happen. Sport plays a major contribution to our health and wellbeing and is going to be even more in the spotlight in the run up to the 2012 Olympics. These awards honoured and celebrated the superb sporting achievements in Wiltshire and Swindon.”

Phil de Glanville commented: "I am extremely impressed by the quality and standard of coaches, volunteers and athletes in Wiltshire. Support and dedication at a local level are extremely important for the sustainability of sport in this country and events such as this demonstrate how much our volunteer workforce are valued."