SPORTSMEN and women and their supporters from all over the district gathered at the annual East Hampshire Sports Awards at Old Thorns Country Hotel at Griggs Green, near Liphook.

Now in its sixth year, the glittering ceremony was hosted by sporting legend and Olympic medallist Roger Black, while Ben Smith, who completed 401 marathons in as many days, delivered this year’s inspirational and moving keynote speech.

Julie Butler, deputy leader at East Hampshire District Council, opened the evening, welcoming all nominees from the large pool of sporting talent throughout the district as well as its unsung heroes, who are, she said, the DNA of every club.

Hampshire born and bred Roger Black, who won a silver medal at the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996 and a gold medal in the World Championships in 1991 and 1997, called it a “very special event”.

During his powerful and personal account of how he found his path to sport, marathon man Ben Smith said it was about what people can achieve through sport and all the levels of support they provide and how people can become extraordinary through sport.

After suffering a mini-stroke at the age of 29 and weighing 17 stone, Ben decided to change his life dramatically. He started running and within six months completed his first half-marathon, followed by his first full marathon a year later.

He said: “Getting a medal at the end was magical for me. It meant so much after not believing in myself for so long. I had grown through sport and subsequently ran 18 marathons around the world.

“In 2014, I decided to do something different and came up with 401 marathons in 401 days. It was a challenge to raise awareness about bullying. I visited more than 100 schools and wanted to raise £250,000. The final total was £330,000.

“It was the proudest thing I have ever done in my life. My love for sport was so strong and people shared that passion. Sport changed my life and made the impossible possible.”

The evening belonged to the many nominees in 17 categories, all of whom had their own inspirational stories to tell.

This year’s Portfolio Holder Award went to all three worthy nominees – Ropley Cricket Club’s girls’ team, Hollywater School for children with special needs, and Florence Harry.

Petersfield-based Herne Junior School’s girls’ football team, winners of the School Team of the Year award, have completed a winning season and inspired more than 50 girls to join their after-school club, which is currently larger than the boys’ section.

Winner of the Junior Sportsman category, which received a record 25 nominations, was Luke Anstey, who has been selected onto the British Youth Sailing Pathway running from junior level to the Olympic squad. He intends to complete his RYA assistant instructor accreditation in 2018 to help with training.

The award for Junior Sportswoman of the Year was shared by cricketer Charlie Dean and Toni Shering, a black belt in Karate Kata.

Lizzie Allen, winner of the Junior Disability Sportsperson award, qualified to compete in the European Down Syndrome Swimming Championships in Paris as the youngest and fastest junior in the 50m breaststroke.

Junior volunteer of the year Christina Linton has been with Swallows Trampolining Club since 2014 and gives up any spare time to help out at the club.

Cricket-playing brothers Hugo and Alex Hammond were awarded Senior Disability Sportsperson of the Year.

Senior Team of the Year went to Petersfield Rugby Club, who won the Hampshire 1 league title in 2017 and went on to win the Hampshire Bowl final.

The club’s head coach, James Alder, won the award for Coach of the Year for the most improved referee for the 2017 season and the club scored a hat-trick by jointly winning Club of the Year with Four Marks Martial Arts Academy.

The academy was established two years ago and in that time has moved from internal competitions to regional, national and international competitions, winning 28 world medals including two at world championships level.

William Birch-Tomlinson, winner of the Senior Sportsman of the year award, was selected as part of the British Keelboat Sailing Academy and is currently under fitness review for the Youth America’s Cup team.

Master Sportsman of the Year was awarded to Mark Nevola, founder of the Four Marks Martial Arts Academy and world champion in Kumite at the United World Karate Championships in Italy, where he represented England. He was recently nominated and elected to become vice-chairman of Karate Sport England.

John Marlow, of Medstead Tennis Club, was the winner of the Services to Sport award, after coaching and playing for more than 28 years as well as running many charity events.

This year’s outstanding achievement award went to all three nominees for overcoming personal difficulties – John Harvey, who is a regular walker with the Alice Holt Walking to Health group, despite suffering from dementia; Zoe Perkins, who has been diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkins lymphoma but continues with her roles at Alpha Trampoline Club; and Chris Norkett, who was diagnosed with highly dangerous blood pressure, lost 13 stone, gave up smoking and started running and has since completed numerous marathons and raised money for the Cardiac Rehab Centre, becoming an ambassador for sport and healthy lifestyle.

Award winners:

PORTFOLIO HOLDER AWARD: Ropley Cricket Club girls team, Hollywater School (Whitehill & Bordon) & Florence Harry, Alton (joint winners)

SCHOOL TEAM OF THE YEAR: Herne Junior School girls’ football team (Petersfield)

JUNIOR TEAM OF THE YEAR: Alton Hockey Club U12 boys & Alton Rugby Club U13 (joint winners)

JUNIOR SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR: Luke Anstey - Sailing (Liphook)

JUNIOR SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR: Charlie Dean - Cricket

(Horndean) & Toni Shering, Karate, Four Marks Martial Arts Academy (joint

winners)

JUNIOR DISABILITY SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR: Lizzie Allen - Alton Swimming Club (Petersfield)

JUNIOR VOLUNTEER: Christina Linton, Trampolining (Whitehill & Bordon)

SENIOR DISABILITY SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR: Hugo Hammond – Disability Cricket (Bentworth)

SENIOR TEAM OF THE YEAR: Petersfield Rugby Club 1st XV           

COACH OF THE YEAR: James Alder - Rugby (Petersfield)

CLUB OF THE YEAR: Petersfield Rugby Club & Four Marks Martial Arts Academy (joint winners)

SENIOR VOLUNTEER: Kathy Mason & Ollie Butler for Walking Netball (Horndean)

SENIOR SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR: William Birch-Tomlinson -

Sailing (Petersfield)

SENIOR SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR: Victoria Lovett - Cycle Road Racing (Waterlooville)

MASTER SPORTSPERSON: Mark Nevola - Karate, Four Marks Martial Arts Academy

SERVICE TO SPORT: John Marlow – Medstead Tennis Club

OUTSTANDING PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT: John Harvey (Whitehill & Bordon), Zoe Perkins (Alton) & Chris Norkett (Alton) (joint winners)