Guest speaker announced for sporting ceremony
Former Exeter Chiefs rugby player Chris Whitehead has been named as guest speaker at Teignbridge District Council’s Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2014.
Mr Whitehead, who retired from top flight rugby earlier this year and is using his playing expertise as coach at Western Counties league side Kingsbridge, has been unveiled as a key speaker at the sport gala event on Friday 28 November at the Langstone Cliff Hotel, Dawlish Warren.
The Awards, in association with main sponsor Kitsons Solicitors and supported by media partners Palm FM and the Mid Devon Advertiser, recognise athletes, volunteers, sports teams, committee members, coaches, and community champions from all areas of the community that are going the extra mile to get Teignbridge active all year round.
Chris Whitehead said: “What an honour it is to be asked to attend the 2014 Teignbridge Sports Personality Awards even more so to get the opportunity to speak in front of such an array of talented sports men and women.
“If there’s one thing I know about sport it’s the ups and downs, the trials and tribulations and the incredible highs that comes along with that one thing we all crave - success!
“I look forward to sharing some of the stories that have mapped out my professional career over the last 14 years and enjoying what’s guaranteed to be a great night.”
Cllr George Gribble, Teignbridge District Council’s executive spokesman for communities, recreation and leisure, said: “We are thrilled that Chris is joining us this year. He and Palm FM presenter Matt Young are going to be a great mix. We think it’s going to be another evening to remember.
“Teignbridge District Council is proud of his commitment to helping people get fit or remain active. This year alone we’ve pioneered things like Active Mums bike rides, helped create new cycle routes and secured £142,000 funding from Sport England for the Sports Bug project for Teignmouth, something which gives people opportunities to try new and different sport sessions.
“Now it’s time for us to thank everyone locally for their efforts and commitment to their individual and collective successes in making the district an even better place to be.”
The finalists for 2014 are:
Services to Sport (Community)
Sponsored by Sport England’s Sports Bug Project
Graham Austin
David Jervois
Deborah Sterling
Services to Sport (Education)
Sponsored by Bayside Graphics
Sam Cann
Chantelle Prowse
Phillipa Young
Coach/Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Action Coach Business Coaching
Robert Elver
Elizabeth Mann
Darren Peterson
Volunteer of the Year
Sponsored by Lamars Decorating Ltd
Adam Clarkson & Faye Drinkwater
James Mason
Lucy Neal & Charlotte Bell
Sportsperson of the Year with a Physical/Learning Disability
Sponsored by Ronnie Sunshine’s Shooting Opportunities for All
James Bevis
Sharon Mizen
Alex Woodgates
Club of the Year
Sponsored by Active Devon, Getting Everyone Active in Devon
Newton Abbot Athletics Club
TSW Octopush Club
Bovey Tracey Tennis Club
Junior Team of the Year
Sponsored by Chamberlains Estate Agents
Ashburton YFC U15 Team
TSW Octopush Junior Team
Bovey Tracey Junior Lifesaving Team
Senior Team of the Year
Sponsored by Langston Cliff Hotel
River Teign Rowing Club Ladies Gig Team
Teign Hockey Club Mens 1st team
TSW U18 Octopush Team
Junior Sportswoman of the Year
Sponsored by Devon Football Association
Molly Canham
Ellie Ingnam-Hill
Eleanor Poole
Young Persons Services to Sport & Physical Education
Sponsored by Dartmoor School Sports Partnership
Zack Hannis-Smith
Brittany Harris
Arthur Hocking
Junior Sportsman of the Year Sponsored by Southlands Residential Care Home
Harry Birchill
Tommy D’Cruz
Tom Manley
Senior Sportswoman of the Year
Sponsored by Seymour Horwell Volvo specialists
Natalie Melmore
Martha Neal
Rachel Spooner
Senior Sportsman of the Year
Sponsored by Newton Abbot Leisure Centre
James Bevis
Jamie Chestney
Keiran Miles
Community Project Awards
Sponsored by Teignbridge District Council
Moretonhampstead Swimming Pool Committee/Trustees
Ashburton Rollers Skatepark Committee
Moretonhampstead Sports & Community Centre Committee
Mid Devon Advertiser Sports Correspondent of the Year
Sponsored by the Mid Devon Advertiser
To be announced on the night
Overall Sports Personality of the Year 2014
Sponsored by Kitsons Solicitors
To be announced on the night
