The best of Coleraine’s sporting talent has been celebrated at the town’s annual Sports Awards.
The regional heat, which was held in advance of the overall Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Sports Awards, took place in Cloonavin on Wednesday evening (October 5th).
Special guest on the night was GB rowing star Joels Cassells, who helped to present the prizes.
Speaking after the event, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Alderman Maura Hickey, said: “Sport plays a very important role in our community. We are fortunate here in Coleraine to have a wealth of talent, across a wide range of disciplines and I would like to commend all participants and those who work to nurture and develop their skills. It is important that we recognise the efforts of all and these awards, which cover an array of categories, are a way of doing that. I would like to offer my congratulations to all of our winners and nominees and I wish them every success for the future.”
The Winners
Sportsman - John Church, Clay Target Shooting
John is only the second person ever to win the Ulster Open and Grand Prix in the same year. He was also the winner of the Irish Open (veterans) and the Scottish Open (veterans). He took second place in the veteran high gun at the Home Internationals.
John Church receives his Sportman of the Year award from Hugh Wade, Chairman of Coleraine Sports Council and the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Alderman Maura Hickey.
Sportswoman - Katie Mullan, Hockey
At the age of just 22, Katie recently received her 100th Ireland cap. She was a part of the Ireland side for the Hawkes Bay tournament in New Zealand as well as the Ireland team that have beaten 5 nations ranked higher than them in Internationals.
Joy Kearney accepts the Sportswoman of the Year award on behalf of her granddaughter Katie Mullan from Hugh Wade, Chairman of Coleraine Sports Council and the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Alderman Maura Hickey.
Sports Administrator - Alison Rankin – Athletics
Alison has been a stalwart of the Springwell Running Club since its formation in 2002, and has helped grow the club’s membership from 100 members to 450. She has been lady captain for 3 years, holding the positions of chair, secretary, junior / senior coach / race organiser and current treasurer. She plaid a big role in helping the club achieve the Athletics NI Clubmark award and Springwell are only the third club in Northern Ireland to reach this level.
Alison Rankin receives her award for Sports Administrator of the Year from Hugh Wade, Chairman of Coleraine Sports Council, and special guest Joel Cassells.
Sportsperson with a disability - Mairi Clements – judo
10-year-old Mairi has cystic fibrosis, but this does not stand in her way. In all her competitions she competes against able bodied athletes. She won a gold medal at the Omagh Judo Championships in November last year along with a silver medal in the North West Open held in the Foyle arena. She took 5th place in the Northern Ireland Open – the premier competition for this country.
Mairi Clements receives her award for Sports person with a disability from Hugh Wade, Chairman of Coleraine Sports Council, and special guest Joel Cassells.
Senior team (over 19) - Coleraine Ladies Hockey Club Firsts
The team claimed victory in the Ulster hockey senior 3 league 2015/2016 for the second year in a row, and lost just two league games out of 18. Two members of the team were selected to play for the Ulster under 16 side.
Susan Chapman accepts the Senior Team of the Year award on behalf of Coleraine Ladies Hockey Club Firsts from Hugh Wade, Chairman of Coleraine Sports Council and the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Alderman Maura Hickey.
Members of Coleraine Ladies Hockey Club Firsts pictured with their Coach Stephen McCartney and Assistant Coach Philip Tweedy and the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Alderman Maura Hickey, special guest Joel Cassells and Hugh Wade, Chairman of Coleraine Sports Council.
Junior team (under 19) - Millburn primary school – football
The team has been described as the most successful football team from the school in its 60 year history. In 2016, they beat off competition from 22 schools in the district to win the Killowen Cup. They also lifted the Doherty cup for the 14th time and were the under-12 Northern Ireland Primary School Champions in the large schools category.
Pupils from Millburn Primary School accept the Junior Team of the Year award from Hugh Wade, Chairman of Coleraine Sports Council, and special guest Joel Cassells.
Millburn Primary School pupils pictured with their Principal, Mrs Lamont, teacher Mr McClean, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Alderman Maura Hickey, special guest Joel Cassells and Hugh Wade, Chairman of Coleraine Sports Council.
Junior sportsman (under 19) - Marcus Poskitt – cricket
At 15 years of age, Marcus has already plaid a full season in the Coleraine first eleven in the North West premier league. He has plaid for the North West u15 side in the interprovincial series and for Ireland under 15s in the international series against Scotland. As well as this, Marcus was selected to take part in the Cricket Ireland talent academy programme for under 15s.
Junior Sportsman of the Year Marcus Poskitt receives his award from Hugh Wade, Chairman of Coleraine Sports Council, and special guest Joel Cassells.
Junior sportswoman (under 19) - Molly Curry – swimming
Molly has a raft of titles to her name, including Ulster Grammar Schools Breaststroke Champion and the Ulster Breaststroke Champion. She achieved qualification time for the Youth Olympics in Hungary 2017 and is a member of the Ulster performance squad, an elite squad made up of just 25 swimmers. She has broken the Coleraine Swimming Club 50m breaststroke record – previously held by Emma Robinson who went on to compete at the Olympic games.
Molly Curry receives her award for Junior sportswoman of the year from Hugh Wade, Chairman of Coleraine Sports Council, and special guest Joel Cassells.
Services to sport - Mike Robinson – gymnastics
Mike began coaching in 1993 at Sika Gymanastics Club. Since 2000 he has been their head coach, whilst also coaching at Riada Gymnastics Club in Ballymoney, Council programmes and in Ballysally Primary School. He volunteers 14 hours a week, coaching over 100 gymnasts. Last year, hecoached the Sika boys’ team to the Northern Ireland trophy, and is credited as being the main reason why the club has gone from strength to strength over the last 20 years.
Mike Robinson receives his award for Services to Sport from Hugh Wade, Chairman of Coleraine Sports Council, and special guest Joel Cassells
Coach of the Year - Stephen McCartney – hockey
Stephen was awarded the Ulster Hockey Union award for Children’s Coach of the Year 2015/16. As Coleraine ladies hockey club youth coordinator, he manages programmes for 200 children. He coached Coleraine firsts to the UHU senior three league title, losing only two games in the league season. Alongside this, he coached the under 15s to this year’s National Development title and the under 11s to the National finals, where they finished as runners-up.
Stephen McCartney receives his Coach of the Year award from Hugh Wade, Chairman of Coleraine Sports Council and the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Alderman Maura Hickey.
International Sportsperson of the year and Hall of Fame winner- Alan Campbell – rowing
Alan has represented Team GB at four consecutive Olympic games in the single sculls, rowing’s toughest discipline. He won a bronze medal at London 2012 and is a fantastic ambassador for the sport.
Jennifer Campbell accepts the award for International Sportsperson of the Year on behalf of her son Alan Campbell from Hugh Wade, Chairman of Coleraine Sports Council and the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Alderman Maura Hickey.
Merit award - Churchlands Golden Gloves boxing club
Led by Head Coach Michael Fleming, the club has produced five Ulster champions, eight county champions and two Monkstown Box Cup champions.
Head Coach Michael Fleming and representatives from Churchlands Golden Gloves Boxing Club receive the Merit award from Hugh Wade, Chairman of Coleraine Sports Council and the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Alderman Maura Hickey.
Special guest Joel Cassells receives a gift from the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Alderman Maura Hickey to mark his attendance at the Sports Awards.