Outstanding sporting achievements from across the county were recognized at the prestigious annual event at Folly Farm.
Hosted by Bill Carne and Cllr Huw George on behalf of Sport Pembrokeshire - Pembrokeshire County Council’s sports development service - this year’s awards attracted more nominations that ever before across a wide range of sports and proved to be a very emotional evening.
Morgs is surprised by lifetime award
Among those recognised was former rugby player - Peter Morgan, who was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Last year’s Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Peter attended school in Haverfordwest and played schools, county and international youth rugby before an outstanding career at Llanelli - clocking up 274 appearances and a total of 425 points over a decade.
At 19 he replaced JPR Williams as full back in the Welsh side and also played for the Barbarians. He remains Pembrokeshire’s only British Lion touring South Africa in 1980 as the youngest of the squad.
Superb special award
This year for the first time there were two winners of the Chairman’s Special Achievement Award. Lisa Starkey, who works at Fishguard Leisure Centre, was honoured for her calm-headedness under pressure. Earlier this year she put her first aid expertise into action when she saved the life of young footballer Nicky Badland, who collapsed with a heart attack on the pitch at Fishguard during a training session. Without her quick thinking and intervention it is almost certain he would not have survived.
Gareth and Nicky bring the house down
Also honoured with a Chairman’s Special Achievement Award were Tenby rugby player and Iron Man competitor Nicky Rees and his friend Gareth Scotcher, who suffers from Motor Neurone Disease. As a team the pair showed the very best of sporting camaraderie by taking on the challenge of the Tenby Long Course weekend with Gareth completing the 2.4 mile swim in a special tow cradle and the 112 mile bike ride on a special tandem bike before finishing with a 26.2 mile run. Small wonder that both awards earned a special and sustained standing ovation!
Cllr Elwyn is impressed
Councillor Elwyn Morse, Cabinet member for Sport and Leisure said the awards recognised not just the hard work and effort that went into sport in Pembrokeshire but also the pluck and sporting heroism that often went with it. “We have a very high standard of award winners this year, who epitomize the very best of sporting endeavour,” he said. “The rise in nominations every year and the increasing number of sports represented reflect the depth and range of sport played in our county.”
Organiser Ben is delighted
Ben Field, Manger of Sport Pembrokeshire, said the success of the awards scheme was due to the hundreds of coaches, parents and volunteers that kept community sports clubs going week in, week out throughout the year. “It’s community sport at its best and its down to them that grass roots sport in Pembrokeshire is alive and kicking!” he said.
The Pembrokeshire Sports Awards is sponsored by Valero, Western Telegraph, Folly Farm and Radio Pembrokeshire.”
Click here to see this year's winners and finalists
Pictures (courtesy of Martin Cavaney Photography LTD)
The Hosts - Huw George and Bill Carne
The winners of the Chairman’s Special Achievement Award - Lisa Starkey, Gareth Scotcher and Nicky Rees - are pictured at the Sport Pembrokeshire Awards. (L-R): Councillor Elwyn Morse, Nicky Badland, Lisa Starkey, Gareth Scotcher, Nicky Rees and Councillor Arwyn Williams, Chairman of the County Council.
Winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award Peter Morgan (left) was presented with his award by Geoff Williams, Head of BBC Sport.