2017 Devon Sports Awards finalists announced

The finalists for the prestigious 2017 Exeter Foundation Devon Sports Awards have been announced and all 30 are outstanding. To mark the 20th year of the awards there are some exciting new categories and the finalists include people from all aspects of community sport from coaches and volunteers to sportspeople from a really diverse range of sports.

The Awards which will take place on 30th June at Sandy Park celebrate diverse sporting contributions and achievements from community level coaching right through to elite sports performers. The main purpose of the Awards is to recognise those who inspire people to participate at all levels in sport.

“Each year the Exeter Foundation Devon Sports Awards go from strength to strength and help to recognise the truly outstanding work that is being carried out throughout the county at all sporting levels” said Tony Rowe OBE, Chairman of the Exeter Foundation.

“Looking at all the nominations across the board, it’s clear that the judging panel must have had another series of painstaking decisions to make, such is the calibre and quality of all those selected. However, we see all those shortlisted as winners in their own right and the efforts they are producing are helping to inspire the next generation of sporting stars within Devon.” Said Matt Evans from Active Devon.

All finalists have been invited to attend a special 20th anniversary ceremony and this year, they will be presented with their trophies and certificates by James Cracknell OBE, British athlete, rowing champion and double Olympic gold medallist.

The expert judging panel, coordinated by Active Devon who are overseeing the Awards in partnership with the Exeter Foundation and Exeter College, have carefully whittled the entries down to the final 30 individuals and teams from an extremely strong pool of nominations.

Rob Bosworth, Vice Principal - Schools, Partnerships & Curriculum, Exeter College, said:  "Exeter College is delighted to be a partner in the Devon Sports Awards and recognise the contributions made by those who inspire sports performers at all levels."

Finalists from Plymouth are Kyanna Fritz from Plymouth Marjon Hockey Club who is up for Devon Young Volunteer of the Year and the Department for Work and Pensions, Plymouth who are among the final three of a brand new award category Business Contribution to Sporting Activity in the Workplace. Devonport Royal Dockyard Employee Trust, another high profile Plymouth business are in the finals of the second new category of the 2017 awards, Business Contribution to Sporting Activity in the Workplace. Finally Alyssa Oates from Plymouth Underwater Hockey Club is the only Plymouth finalist in the Community Sports Performer of the Year, the largest of the categories.

In addition to the 8 main award categories and the additional award for Performances in Community Sport there is an additional award for Outstanding Contribution to Sport in Devon, which will only be announced on the night.

"The Devon Sports Awards are always keen to recognise volunteers who work hard in their sports and so often go unrecognised" said Matt Evans Chief Executive of Active Devon. "The Devon Volunteer and Devon Young Volunteer categories are one way that we can celebrate their achievements. We want to thank everyone who nominated someone special in their sport and say keep up the good work”. 

The full list of finalists are:

Devon Coach of the Year 
Jo John, Exeter City Swimming Club 
Denise Austin, Academy of Beach Sports, PETROC, Volleyball England Junior Girls
Helen Reddy, Honiton Gym and Ivybridge College 

Devon Young Coach of the Year
Nathaniel Rookes, Tavistock Swimming Club 
Danielle Page, SW Athletics Academy
Matthew Rhymer, Academy of Beach Sports

Devon Volunteer of the Year
Esther Rookes, Tavistock Swimming Club
Jeremy Rice, Honiton Rugby Club
Stephen Wilbraham, Torbay Athletics Club

Devon Young Volunteer of the Year
Jessica Atkinson, Crediton Active Mums
Amber Francis, Tavistock Swimming Club
Kyanna Fritz, Plymouth Marjon Hockey Club

Devon Club of the Year
Axe Vale Netball Club
Fremington Youth Football Club
Academy of Beach Sports

Contribution to Inclusive Sport
Sonya Ellis, SW Athletics Academy
Barnstaple Ability FC
Bobby Singh, ROC Active

Business Contribution to Sporting Activity in the Workplace
PETROC College of Further and Higher Education, Tiverton 
Department for Work and Pensions, Plymouth
Bigwave Media, Exeter

Business Contribution to Sport in the Community
LED Leisure
Devonport Royal Dockyard Employee Trust
The Exeter

Performances in Community Sport

·         Alyssa Oates, Underwater Hockey (Plymouth Underwater Hockey Club)
·         Elyse Leech, Athletics (Torbay Athletics Club)
·         Felicity Ayres, Gymnastics (Falcons Gymnastics Academy, Barnstaple)
·         Kendal Brown, Tennis (Torquay Tennis Club)
·         Molly Canham, Athletics (Exeter Harriers)
·         Tate Budge, Taekwon-Do (Trenic/Yiewsley Taekwon-do Academy)

More information about the Devon Sports Award are on the Devon Sports Awards Facebook page @DevonSportsAwards and Twitter @DevSportsAwards. Tickets can still be purchased for the Awards at Sandy Park with James Cracknell. Contact enquiries@exeterfoundation.org.uk for more details.