Exeter Foundation Awards honour top sports performers
Devon sports achievers were honoured at the Exeter Foundation Devon Sports Awards, in association with Active Devon on Friday night.
They included sportsmen and women, clubs, coaches and volunteers from all four corners of the county.
The event was hosted at Sandy Park, the home of LV= Cup winning Premiership rugby team the Exeter Chiefs.
The competition was open to those involved in sport throughout Devon and, unlike similar awards, all the profits will be donated to charity.
The host was BBC Spotlight's Jenny Walrond and the special guest was medal winning British athlete Kriss Akabusi (pictured).
Kriss gave an energetic and rousing talk which ended with the whole audience being asked to stand on one side of the room to applaud the nominees.
This was the 11th anniversary of Active Devon hosting the awards and the second year the organisation has partnered with the Exeter Foundation, the Exeter Chiefs charity.
Exeter Foundation chairman Tony Rowe OBE said: "It has been so encouraging to see the various achievements across Devon and I hope the recognition and and appreciation of the many individuals and clubs last night will play a part in inspiring others to participate in local sport and strive to be the best they possibly can in order to further the accomplishment and reputation of the county as a whole.
"I would like to personally thank all of the nominees and nominators who helped to make the awards such a success. I hope it is the first of many collaborations."
Active Devon Chief Executive Matt Evans said: "We are very proud of the Devon Sports Awards. They continue to provide a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the tireless hard work and dedication of coaches, officials, volunteers and clubs that make sport happen across our wonderful county as well as the fantastic achievements of our teams and individual athletes, both in community and elite sport."
The winners were:
The Westaway Sausages Young Coach of the Year Award - Sam Dyer, Hamoaze House Plymouth
The South West Comms Community Sport - Coach of the Year Award - Peter North, North Devon
The Thrifty Performance Coach of the Year Award - Rob Baxter, Exeter Chiefs
The Exeter Food Festival Young Volunteer of the Year Award - Georgia Morris, North Devon
The Exeter Food Festival Volunteer of the Year Award - Julie Kemish Mills, Barnstaple
The Rokk Media Contribution to Inclusive Sport Award - Alan and Maureen Stockdale, Plymouth
Sportivate Project of the year - Special Olympics Exeter and District
The Astley Media Community Sport Team of the Year Award - TWS Juniors Octopush
The Frobishers Community Sport Club of the Year Award - Plymouth Judo Club
The Gro Company Professional Club of the Year Award - Exeter Rugby Club
The CARN Community Sport Performer of the Year Award - Conna Dua-Harper, Devon Racqueteers
The South West Communications Elite Performer the Year Award - Jack Nowell, Exeter Chiefs
The Exeter Foundation Outstanding Contribution Award - Peter North
