Inspirational sports volunteers from across the county have been recognised & rewarded at this year’s Cornwall Sports Awards.

Sponsored by University of Exeter and Truro & Penwith College, the annual event, held at The Headland Hotel, Newquay on Friday saw more than 300 of Cornwall’s dedicated volunteers, coaches, officials, organisations and young leaders from over 28 different sports come together.

Organised by the Cornwall Sports Partnership, the event now in its eleventh year was presented by Pirate FM’s Neil Caddy and pays tribute to the many volunteers who give their time and efforts to support our sports community and inspire the next sporting generation.

This year 19 awards were presented and the worthy winners are:

Young Coach of the Year U25 – Charlotte Collier, St Agnes Football Club

Children’s Coach of the Year – Simon Richards, Penzance Hockey Club

Community Coach of the Year – Charlotte Bennett, Hayle Runners

Disability Coach of the Year – Steve Borlase, Bodmin Dragons Ability Football Club

Performance & Development Coach of the Year – Allan Reid, St Austell Swimming Club

Coach of the Year 2016 – Charlotte Collier, St Agnes Football Club

Junior Club of the Year – Saints Netball Club

Adult Club of the Year – Caradon Hockey Club

Community Club of the Year 2016 – Gyllyngvase Surf Life Saving Club

This Girl Can – Inspirational Women of the Year – Louise Mallas

Sportivate Project of the Year – Stand up Paddleboard for Women, Ocean Sports

Sportivate Participant of the Year – Kitty Odle, Polmartin Riding

Time 2 Move Primary Award – Marazion School

Community Participation Project of the Year – Mines a Swim, Tempus Leisure

Active Workplace of the Year – PKF Francis Clark

Young Leader of the Year – Fergus Connolly, Cornwall College

Community Volunteer of the Year U25 – Kellie Williams, Penzance Cricket Club

Community Volunteer of the Year – Shirley Pitts, Pendeen Gig Club

Lifetime Services to Sport – Jackie Tresidder, Penryn Netball Club

Linking with Sport England’s ‘This Girl Can’ campaign this year’s awards focused on ‘Celebrating Women in Sport’ in Cornwall. Guests heard from Coxless Crew Member Laura Penhaul from Redruth Cornwall, an inspirational women who along with 5 other girls rowed across the Pacific Ocean = 8446 miles, breaking 2 world records! Laura presented the BRAND NEW ‘This Girl Can – Inspirational Woman of the Year’ award. This is presented to someone who has been inspired by the campaign herself and has gone on to motivate others to get active.

Guests also heard from Mellissa Reid, Paratriathlete from Porthtowan in Cornwall. Melissa talked about her recent experience at the Paralympic Games in Rio this September where she won a Bronze Medal.

Cornwall Sports Awards organiser, Natasha Howard of the Cornwall Sports Partnership, said: "This is a fantastic event, an opportunity to say thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who give their time freely so others can be active. We hope the evening inspired those who attended to continue volunteering and to motivate others to become volunteers. Giving your time to an activity you are passionate about is a hugely rewarding experience and you also get to become part of a community.

A variety of companies and organisations support the event each year, including: Sport England, University of Exeter , Truro & Penwith College, Health Promotion Service & Workplace Health, St Austell Printing Company, St Austell Conference Centre, AGAME Sports Ltd , This Girl Can, Miller Countrywide, Tempus Leisure, Arena , Penwith School Sport, Peninsula School Sport Partnership, Mid Cornwall Sports Network, Clockwork Audio Systems, Lightbox Inc, and The Headland Hotel.

Want to nominate next year?

Nominations for the 2017 Cornwall Sports Awards will be opening Spring 2017!

To see photographs and videos of the winners and event, visit the Cornwall Sports Partnership’s website and facebook page at cornwallsportspartnership.co.uk or facebook.com/cornwallsportspartnership