Fenland sporting stars shine at annual Living Sports Awards with March and Wisbech both represented among the winners

A badminton coach from March and two Wisbech clubs were among the top winners at this year's Living Sports Awards.

The Annual Living Sport Sports Awards were held on Thursday to celebrate the amazing sporting achievements within the local community.

The awards, now in their 14th year, honour sports men and women, coaches, volunteers, young people in sport, schools and businesses.

Finalists and winners were treated to an evening of celebration at Burgess Hall in St. Ives. Following a formal dinner the winners were announced and received their prestigious awards from leading industry figures from our region.

Colin Bedford, who has been recognised by Badminton England as the oldest qualified coach that is still coaching in the whole country, picked up the Services to Sport Award.

The 83-year-old has been coaching the game in March for over 50 years.

Three Counties Running Club (TCRC) and Wisbech Inline Speed Skating Club (WISS) were joint winners of the prestigious Community Club of the Year award.

With nothing to choose between them, judges agreed they showcase what Fenland has to offer in two very different sports.

TCRC has grown from strength to strength and welcomes people of all abilities and ages to participate in running for health and fitness and well being.

WISS have had an incredible competition season including four overall British champions for 2019.

Samuel Missin from Whittlesey has had an extremely successful year playing Touch Rugby for England. He scored eight tries at the World Cup earlier this year in Malaysia. He was awarded the Youth Sports Performance of the Year at this year’s Living Sport Sports Awards.

The list of awards, sponsors and winners on the evening:

Coach of the Year (Anglia Ruskin University) – Andy Matson

Community Club of the Year (Lifeplus) – Joint Winners – Three Counties Running Club and Wisbech

Inline Speed Skating Club

Community Volunteer of the Year (Enjoy the View) – Jonathan Evans

Jonnie Peacock Award (Irwin Mitchell) – Gabriella Wells

Impact Award (3B Design & Print) – Danielle Guy, Friends of Histon & Impington Recreation, Jenny

Parker

Matthew Warn Power of Sport – John Wroe

School of the Year (Baldwins) – Ditton Lodge Primary School

Services to Sport – Colin Bedford (Badminton)

Sports Performance of the Year (Freedom Leisure) – Lucy Warne

Workplace of the Year (Everyone Health) – Wellcome Sanger Institute

Young Community Volunteer of the Year (Nene Park Trust) – Lily Callaghan

Youth Sports Performance of the Year (Chromasport) – Samuel Missin