IT is usually an individual who wins the main category at the Jersey Sports Awards but this year a whole club has been awarded Sporting Performance of the Year.
The accolade went to Jersey Rowing Club after another successful season for their many rowers that included selections for the Great Britain squad and high performances at various offshore and beach sprint championships.
Highlights included Natacha Searson winning the women’s singles at the Home International Beach Sprint Regatta, while Hylton Harvey and Sarah Earles won gold in the mixed doubles. Searson was also selected for Great Britain’s mixed quad squad at both the European and World Championships, as was Harvey’s younger brother Hector, who competed in the under-19s’ men’s singles.
The club fended off competition from archer Lucy O’Sullivan, golfer Jo Hacker, cyclist Rhys Hidrio and Chloe Russell to win the award.
Another athlete from Jersey who made waves this year representing Great Britain is swimmer Filip Nowacki, who won the U21 Sporting Performance of the Year award. As well as winning multiple medals at the British Championships, and breaking numerous Island records this year, Nowacki also won a silver medal for GB in the 200m breaststroke at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Slovenia.
The Outstanding Achievement award went to Jersey Reds for their Championship-winning season, despite the club ceasing to exist just months later.
Manager/Coach of the Year went to Elliot Powell after he guided St Peter to the Premiership title before leading Jersey’s men’s football team to gold at the Island Games. The Jersey Football Association won the Sports Organisation of the Year award. And the latest inductee to the Jersey Sport Hall of Fame was Simon Laurens, who won a gold and a silver for Team GB in the dressage at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics.
The Move More Group of the Year award was given to the Jersey Triathlon Club, while the PE department of the States of Jersey Prison Service won the Move More Workplace of the Year award and Grainville School the Move More School of the Year.
Wendy Gorvel and Joseph Holmes were named Volunteer and Young Volunteer of the Year for their endeavours for Parkrun. Paul Daniel (football), Kevin Baudains (boxing), Richard Benest (shooting) and Bob Lawrence (football) were all recognised and awarded with the new Valerie and Sid Guy Lifetime Achievement Award for their dedication over a significant sustained period of over ten years, either by coaching, officiating, volunteering, promoting or working in sport or active living.
Local Hero Awards were presented to bobsleigher Will Golder, surfer Arlene Maltman, Black Belt Stuart Penn, and transatlantic rowers, Peter Wright and Steve Hayes.
Steve Law, interim chair of Jersey Sport, said: “I would like to personally congratulate all the nominees, shortlisted nominees and award winners of this year’s awards. Sport and physical activity make such a positive impact upon the lives of so many Islanders and it’s great to be able to come together to recognise and celebrate those achievements with friends and colleagues across the industry.
“Thank you to all our award sponsors and the Government of Jersey, and thank you to everyone who make sport and physical activity possible in Jersey, including our volunteers, coaches, sports organisations and businesses. It’s a real privilege to be celebrating the very best within our local sport and physical activity.”
Full list of awards:
AtkinsRéalis Young Volunteer of the Year (U25) Award:
Joseph Holmes
Volunteer of the Year Award: Wendy Gorvel
Move More School of the Year Award: Grainville School
Grant Thornton Move More Workplace of the Year Award: States of Jersey Prison Service – The PE Department
Move More Group of the Year Award: Jersey Triathlon Club – Try a Tri
Manager or Coach of the Year Award: Elliot Powell
Ocorian Trustees Sports Organisation of the Year Award: Jersey Football Association
Aztec Financial Services (Jersey) Ltd Sporting Performance of the Year (U21) Award: Filip Nowacki
Sporting Performance of the Year Award: Jersey Rowing Club
Local Hero Award: Will Golder, Arlene Maltman, Stuart Penn, Peter Wright and Steve Hayes
Valerie and Sid Guy Lifetime Achievement Award: Paul Daniel, Kevin Baudains, Richard Benest, Bob Lawrence
Outstanding Achievement Award: Jersey Reds
Jersey Sport Hall of Fame Award, sponsored by Ocorian Trustees: Simon Laurens
