Awards Dinner: 5th March 2020
Rising Star Award Winners
Back row (l-r): Callum Pascoe (rugby union), Mobin Khalafzadeh (boxing), Sauveur Kande (basketball), Philip Brantingham (rugby union), Ross Charlton (pentathlon).
Middle row (l-r): Poppy Deakin (show jumping), Ciara Boaden (cricket), Nesta Baxter (kick-boxing), Matthew Longstaff (football, Jack Hixon trophy), Abbie Bolam (teamgym), Jazmine Moss (athletics).
Front row (l-r): Steve Harper (Sport Newcastle trustee), Laura Hodgson (swimming), Sean Longstaff (football, Wor Jackie trophy), Abby Kelliher (tennis), Jonathon Edwards C.B.E. (Sport Newcastle patron).
The Longstaffs: local favourites.
BBC presenter, and Sport Newcastle committee member, Dawn Thewlis spoke to Sean and Matty after they'd received their awards. Also on stage are Steve Harper, ex-NUFC goalkeeper and the Lord Mayor, Councillor David Cooke.
Sean was particularly complimentary about Matty's break through in to the 1st team and highlighted his goal against Manchester United as a fantastic memory - for both of them.
Alex Wise: Young Sporting Success of the Year.
Archer Alex seen receiving the award from Nigel Reeves, Reeves Independent, event partner sponsor & Jonathon Edwards C.B.E.
British archery champion, Alex only took up the sport 5 years ago. In that time he has won 2 European junior gold medals, junior and senior national championships and is now on the verge of representing Team G.B. at the Tokyo Olympics.
Mike Donnelly collects his Coaching award of the Year from Philip Brumwell, High Street Hospitality, partner sponsor.
Mike, who coaches sprinters at Gateshead Harriers was nominated for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Unsung Hero award last year. Mike very graciously extolled the contributions of the other coaches, administrators and parents at the club. He also spoke highly of the group of young athletes that are presently representing the Harriers.
Newcastle: Champions of Europe:
City of Newcastle Golf Club can now call themselves 'European Champions' after beating 25 of the best golf clubs from across Europe. Already crowned England champions for the 2nd time in 3 years the team overcame a 6 shot deficit in the last round to become the first English team to win the trophy in 29 years.
The team of Andrew Minnikin, Phil Ridden and Alex Dixon are seen with Andrew Skelton (far right), Director SOS Group (partner sponsors).
Stephen Miller M.B.E. receiving the Wilkinson Sword for Lifetime Achievement from Jess Swindells and Ian McElroy, Tier One Capital, partner sponsors.
Stephen began his Paralympic career at 16 in 1996 and is still competing now with the aim of getting to Tokyo. He has 3 Olympic golds, a silver and a bronze medal, as well as 20 other major championship medals. He captained Team GB at the London Paralympics. His amusing, poignant and at times thought provoking acceptance speech was a highlight of the evening.
... and the Malcolm Dix Trophy for Sporting Success of the Year goes to.....................
The Organising Committee of the European Rugby Finals 2019.
Mick Hogan, Director of Newcastle Falcons received the trophy from Malcolm Dix on behalf of the consortium involved in organising the event.
To transform a football city, like Newcastle in to a rugby crazy venue for a weekend in May last year was no mean feat. The City Council, NUFC, Newcastle Falcons and the citizens of Newcastle put on a fantastic spectacle that showcased the City to rugby supporters from France, Ireland and the south of England.
A huge organisational achievement and very worthy winners.
