The 2015 Leeds Sports Awards finalists have been announced and there’s no doubt that this year will have to go the distance to surpass what an amazing year it was for this talented sporting city.
Not only did 2014 see unrivalled success at the Commonwealth Games for our Leeds athletes and the unforgettable Tour de France Grand Depart, the year has also seen a record-breaking number of Leeds Sports Awards Nominations, with 273 entries put forward.
After much discussion, the judging panel have now whittled the vast number of nominees down to the shortlist of finalists. They will all be looking forward to the awards dinner at New Dock Hall in Leeds, on Thursday March 5.
The awards, now in their 12th year, celebrate the inspirational achievements of the city’s sporting stars.
Stewart Ross, Chairman of Sport Leeds, said: “Choosing the finalists proved an incredibly difficult task this year in particular, mainly because of the breadth and depth of talent available to us as a result of the huge increase in nominations. There were so many strong contenders in each category, and reading through the citations we received made it clear just how much fantastic work is taking place in our city’s sporting community.”
Tim Scott, Senior Community Life Co-ordinator at Asda said: “As title sponsor of the awards this year we are thrilled that our local stores have had an opportunity to recognise their own sporting hero. It will be a great night which will provide a chance to celebrate the often unsung heroes in our local communities who spend their own time and effort helping to make sport happen for those around them”.
Tickets for the awards dinner are still available, with prices starting from £30. Visit www.leedssportsawards.co.uk or email emma@bananakick.com for more information.
The awards are split into three categories Young Achievers, Senior Achievers and Special Contribution, and this year will see the introduction of the special Asda Sporting Hero award.
Leeds Sports Awards 2015 – Finalist List
Young Achievers – Sponsored by Leeds Trinity University
Young Sportswoman
Alicia Blagg
Lois Toulson
Young Sportsman
Jacob Fincham-Dukes
Loukas Jones
Matty Lee
Young Disability Sportsperson
Danielle Bailey
Izzy Palmer
Kizzy Blue Wade
Young Club/Team
City of Leeds Age Group Swimming Team
Grammar School at Leeds U16 Netball Team
Oulton Raiders Under 15 Invaders
Junior Sportsperson U14 – In association with Breeze
Alexandra Turner
Jake Johnson
Joe Fairburn
Senior Achievers – Sponsored by Provident
Sportswoman
Laura Weightman
Nicola Adams MBE
Rebecca Gallantree
Vicky Holland
Sportsman
Alistair Brownlee MBE
Jack Laugher
Josh Warrington
Nile Wilson
Sportswoman – Disability
Hannah Cockroft MBE
Penny Andrews
Sophie Carrigill
Sportsman – Disability
Ali Jawad
Antony Cotterill
Kim Daybell
Club/Team – Professional
Hunslet Hawks RLFC
Leeds Rhinos RLFC
Yorkshire County Cricket Club
Club/Team – Non Professional
City of Leeds Diving- England Commonwealth Divers
Leeds Gymnastics Club
Special Contribution – Sponsored by Leeds Beckett University
Student Sport
Beth Picott
Leeds Beckett University Hockey Club
Coaching
Adrian Hinchliffe
Andrew Henderson
Dave Murray
Gary Donoughue
Richard Denigan
Sport Volunteer
Amy Walker
Ann Hart
John Johnson
Services to PE & School Sport
Andrew Morley
Graham Thornton
Laura Singleton
Penny Speers
Outstanding Service to Sport
Dennis Nicholson
Asda Sporting Hero – Sponsored by Asda
Ashleigh Long
Lee Clegg
