THE Darwen Aldridge Comm-unity Academy has honoured its rising stars at its first ever sports awards evening.

The Academy, which opened in September last year, specialises in entrepeneurship but sport plays a key role.

Blackburn boxer, Dezzi Higginson, the British Masters lightweight champion was guest of honour at the event.

Roll of honour Netball - Year 7 Player of the Season: Libby Gray; Year 7 Player’s Player of the Season: Abigail Haworth; Year 11 Player of the Season: Gemma Hulme. Year 11 Player’s Player of the Season: Claire McGibbon Basketball - U16 Player of the Year Geoffrey Lukusa; U16 Player’s Player of the Year: Enoch Lukusa.

Football - Boys - Year 7 - Player of the Year: Lewis Gregson; Players Player of the Year: Rob Wong; Year 8 - Player of the Year: Josh Knowles; Players Player of the Year: Ayden Irvine. Year 9 - Player of the Year: Liam Shaw; Year 10 - Player of the Year: Jon Entwistle; Players Player of the Year: Christopher Kerrigan; Year 11 - Player of the Year: Elliot Mason; Players Player of the Year: Connor Kershaw. Girls Football - Year Seven - Player of the Year: Carly Brown: Players Player of the Year: Raine Croft; U14 - Girls Player of the Year: Seana Nicholson; Players Player of the Year: Hayley Dickinson; U16 - Player of the Year: Amy Lucas: Players Player of the Year: Amy Lucas. *Year 7 B&D Girl’s Futsal Tournament Champions 2009.

Rugby - 3D award for the rugby: Keegan Howarth.

Hockey - U14s - Girls Player of the Year: Sophie Feeney: Players Player of the Year: Joannah Riley.

Dance - Outstanding Contribution to Ballroom Dance: Seana Nicholson: Most Improved Ballroom Dancer of the Year: John Meadowcroft.

Athletics - Year 7 - Athlete of the Year: Libby Gray; Athlete’s Athlete of the Year: Rob Wong; U14s - Athlete of the Year: Liam Shaw; Athlete’s Athlete of the Year: Callum Ryan: U16 - Athlete of the Year: Alan McKeown; Athlete’s Athlete of the Year: Victor Kasota.

Rounders - U14s - Player of the Year: Rebekah Duxbury; Players Player of the Year: Lauren Tracey.

Cricket - U16s - Player of the Year: Ameen Suleman; Players Player of the Year: Shaan Iqbal.

Sports Leader of the Year: Callum Ryan.

Special Sports Awards - Sports Personality of the Year: Victor Kasota; Rod Aldridge Trophy for Excellence in Sport: Alan MeKeown; Mike Leighton Trophy for Outstanding Contribution to Sport in Blackburn & Darwen: Gemma Hulme; Hilary Lunn Trophy for Outstanding Contribution to Sports Leadership and Volunteering: Callum Ryan; Sports Coach of the Year: Chris Worthington.