Around 200 people attended
the second annual Hattersley Sports & Leisure Awards presentation on 30th January.
Guest of honour was the Rt. Hon James Purnell, MP for Stalybridge
and Hyde, who was there to hand out certificates and congratulate local people on their achievements saying: “These
awards highlight the range and depth of sporting opportunities that are available to young people across Hattersley, Mottram
and Broadbottom. Sport can be a great way to keep fit, bring people together and boost self confidence and, with such a choice
of activities on offer in the Hattersley, Mottram and Broadbottom area, there really is something that will appeal to everyone.
“These activities are only possible
because of the commitment of the volunteers who freely give their own time to make them happen. The Hattersley Sports and
Leisure Awards are a great opportunity to recognise their efforts and to say a huge thank you to those involved.”
The Awards, which are there to recognise outstanding
contributions to the thriving local sports scene, saw 107 different people or clubs being nominated - illustrating the depth
of local sporting activity.
Coach of the Year went to Paul Moreland manager of Hattersley FC’s under 12’s. In addition to coaching,
Paul has helped to raise funds to take his team to tournaments in Wales for the last two years.
Club of the Year went to the long established
Mottram & Hattersley Boxing Club, with Community Group of the Year award going to local activity group the Likely Lads.
Local volunteer Terry Morrison scooped the
Community Award for voluntary work in the community, with the Sports Volunteer of the Year going to Julie Fox and the Unsung
Hero in Sport Award won by Ken Gribben.
Sport
Achievers awards were divided into age categories. The Under 11’s award went to Shaun Alford for the second year running,
with Shaun’s sister Lauren making it a double for the Alford family by winning the Under 16’s award. Local boxer
Callum Cooke took the Over 16’s award, the second consecutive year that this award has been won by
a local boxer.
Steve Alford, from Hattersley’s
Sport in the Community Team said “the work that volunteers put in, running teams, coaching, organising, fund raising
and helping develop new opportunities is really what keeps the local sports scene so vibrant.
This is just one way of saying a big thank you to all those
that contribute to local sports, it’s not just about the winners but everybody who plays a part. Unfortunately not everyone
can get an award but the number and strength of the nominations just goes to show how lucky we are to have such dedicated
and talented volunteers.”
