MINSTER Lovell Inclusive Cricket team were thrilled to pick up the disability honour at the Oxfordshire Sports Awards, writes MARK EDWARDS.
They collected their trophy at a prestigious dinner held at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium on Friday night.
And to cap a great night for west Oxfordshire, Chloe Smart, who lives in Witney, was also successful, taking home the young volunteer award.
Mark Hubbert, speaking on behalf of Minster Lovell’s cricket side, said: “We are thrilled to get this.
“We want to provide for youngsters who have a few more difficulities than others.
“But we do not coach disability, we coach ability.”
Smart was also delighted to land the award, for her ongoing work with Oxford City Stars ice hockey team, as well as her football refereeing.
“It’s a great honour,” she said.
“I work with my dad, who is a mentor, to help younger referees.
“I was part of an all-female team of officials for a male final this year, which was a landmark game for us.”
- Witney’s Chloe Smart talks to BBC Radio Oxford’s Jerome Sale after winning Young Volunteer of the Year at the Oxfordshire Sports Awards
ROLL OF HONOUR
SPORTSMAN OF YEAR
Winner: Jack Brooks (cricket). Runners-up: Zac Payne (cycle speedway) & Bradley Smith (MotoGP).
SPORTSWOMAN OF YEAR
Winner: Demi Lambourne (football). Runners-up: Nichola Simpson (archery) & Izzy Taylor (equestrian).
CLUB OF YEAR
Winner: Banbury & District Canoe Club. Runners-up: Abingdon Gymnastics Club & Thame Tn Cricket Club.
TEAM OF YEAR
Winner: Oxford School of Gymnastics. Runners-up: Oxford City Lions Futsal & Oxford University Women’s Archery
COACH OF YEAR
Winner: Julie McDermaid (netball). Runners-up: Jeremy Bristoe (rugby) & Nikki Woodward (gymnastics)
JUNIOR SPORTSPERSON
Winner: Jade O’Dowda (athletics). Runners-up: Ben Goodall (gymnastics), Polly Hitchens (gymnastics) & Rosie Weston (triathlon).
JUNIOR SPORTS TEAM
Winner: Didcot Girls School Under 15 football. Runners-up: City of Oxford swimming & Oxford Academy football.
DISABILITY AWARD
Winner: Minster Lovell Cricket Club. Runners-up: Richard Thomson (bocchia) & Witney Wolves (rugby).
UNSUNG HERO
Winner: Gary Dent (ice hockey). Runners-up: Nigel Boulter (football) & Ann Workman (athletics)
YOUNG VOLUNTEER
Winner: Chloe Smart (football & ice hockey). Runners-up: Bel Lovell (rugby) & Nicholas Pinhol (cricket).
SPORTING SCHOOL
Winners: King Alfred’s Academy (senior) & Sunningwell Primary (junior). Runners-up: Blessed George Napier & Whitchurch Primary.
ACTIVE WORKPLACE AWARD
Winners: Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. Runners-up: CoreFiling Limited & Oxford Polish Association.
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT OF YEAR
Winners: Youth Ambition. Runners-up: Banbury & District Table Tennis Association & CrickFit.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
Rupert Evans (cricket)
(The shortlist was chosen by a panel from all teams/ individuals nominated)
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