An awards ceremony celebrating outstanding contributions from individuals and community groups was held at Ewood Park last month which included a Q&A with a former England goalkeeper.
The Active Lancashire Awards held its 21st ceremony in Blackburn on November 17.
Organised by the charity Active Lancashire, the event drew more than 300 attendees from across the county who were able to engage in a Q&A session with special guest Rachel Brown-Finnis, the former Everton, Liverpool, and England goalkeeper, and TV pundit, hailing from Burnley.
Among the event's notable winners was Sami Smithson from Burnley, chair of Accrington Stanley Women’s FC, who received the Jimmy Armfield Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sami was recognised for her significant contributions to football and a lifetime of success in judo.
She became a British judo champion at the age of 14 and later coached the sport in Afghanistan during her tenure in the Royal Air Force.
Sami said: "A massive thank you for my nomination and recognised by the panel. You get a lot of gain out of volunteering.
“Whilst I enjoyed being a competitor, I've really enjoyed being a coach, volunteer and supporter a lot more in different ways. The power of sport - don't ever underestimate it."
Other winners included Canalside Activity Centre in Blackburn, which picked up the Contribution for Active Communities Award.
The centre has provided affordable outdoor activities to more than 4,500 young people.
A representative of the centre said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be awarded this, for the brilliant work by all our volunteers.”
Great Harwood St. John's CE Primary School in Hyndburn won the award for Primary School of the Year, celebrating their efforts to be inclusive in their physical education provision.
Tracey Parker, headteacher, said: "We were thrilled to win the award. It has made us so very proud.
"Putting children at the centre of everything, promoting and protecting their health and well-being is what we do naturally at St John's but it is lovely to have the hard work and dedication of the staff recognised.
“Thank you so much, we enjoyed the whole evening and it was lovely to see so many other inspirational people and worthy winners."
Formerly known as the Lancashire Sports Awards, the ceremony recognized the commendable efforts and commitment of nominees in areas such as local health, inclusion, community cohesion, and sporting achievements.
With more than 100 nominees competing across nine categories, judges also honoured seven individuals with Highly Commended runner-up trophies due to the exceptional quality of those put forward for the awards.
Most attendees were finalists who had previously triumphed in local events organised by district partners in Blackburn, Blackpool, Burnley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Rossendale, and South Ribble. Meanwhile, participants from other boroughs applied directly for consideration.
Winners included:
Club of the Year, sponsored by Designidge
Morecambe Community Runners (Highly Commended)
Preston Pirates BMX Club (Winner)
Coach of the Year, presented by Rachel Brown-Finnis
Sharon Bolton, Preston (Highly Commended)
Bob and Dianne Russell, Fylde (Winner)
Contribution to Active Communities, sponsored by Better
Canalside Activity Centre, Blackburn (Winner)
Health and Wellbeing Award, sponsored by Business Health Matters
1st Call Accrington (Highly Commended)
Graham Sims and Team Kickabout CIC (Highly Commended)
Let's Live Life, Ribble Valley (Winner)
Primary School of the Year, sponsored by Interfloor
Great Harwood St John’s Primary School, Hyndburn (Winner)
Secondary School of the Year, Presented by Jess Swinfield (Outdoor Play and Learning scheme)
Park Community Academy, Blackpool (Winner)
Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by Red Rose Recovery
Stephen Perry, Lancaster (Highly Commended)
Fred Stewart, Hyndburn (Winner)
Young Achiever of the Year, sponsored by the Cardboard Box Company
Oliwia Kaczmarek, Burnley (Highly Commended)
Erin Devine, Wyre (Winner)
Jimmy Armfield Lifetime Achievement Award, Sponsored by the University of Central Lancashire
Stuart Nicolson, Burnley (Special Recognition)
Sami Smithson, Hyndburn (Winner)
The success of the event was made possible through the support of various businesses, with Interfloor serving as the headline sponsor.
Several Lancashire-based organisations sponsored specific award categories, and representatives from each business were present to confer awards to the winners.
Entertainment was provided by rising singer-songwriter Jemma Johnson and award-winning magician Zanda Magic.
Guests also enjoyed pre-event activities, including indoor archery and mini golf, courtesy of Rossendale Works, an employment service operated by Active Lancashire on behalf of Rossendale Council with UKSPF Government Funding.
Adrian Leather, chief executive of Active Lancashire, opened the event alongside Gary McEwan, HR and business improvement director from Interfloor, who also sponsored the Primary School of the Year category.
Adrian said in his speech: “Through these awards, we take immense pride in championing individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds and abilities, all bound together by their unwavering dedication to physical activity.
“Each nominee is, in their own unique way, an ambassador for the positive impacts of an active lifestyle."
Gary McEwan spoke about the Interfloor’s work championing local young people through community initiatives and about the firm’s active colleagues, including triathlete Dave Smith, who later presented the primary school trophy.
Gary also welcomed Jess Swinfield, from the Outdoor Play and Learn Initiative, on stage to talk about how Interfloor have been providing schools with recycled materials from their factory including cardboard boxes and tubes to encourage creative play and activity.
Gary said: “Let's continue to support these young athletes, inspire them to strive for greatness, and show them that sports is not just a game but a way of life.”
As well as celebrating the efforts of finalists, the awards raised more than £1,000 for the British Red Cross through a raffle, with prizes donated by Booths, Active Cycles and Active Images.
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