Leeds Sports Awards winners announced

The 2016 Leeds Sports Awards (LSA), organised by Sport Leeds, took place at the New Dock Hall at the Royal Armouries on Thursday 3 March.

Cyclist Lizzie Armitstead picked up the sportswoman of the year with Yorkshire and England cricketer Joe Root picking up the sportsman of the year award, whilst Leeds Rhinos and Yorkshire County Cricket Club shared both the team and coach of the year awards.

Former Leeds Beckett student and current staff member Claire O’Hara was highly commended in the sportswoman of the year category, whilst former student and rugby legend Kevin Sinfield picked up a special achievement award.  Leeds Beckett rugby league coach Paul Fletcher was highly commended in the coach participation award category.

The men’s rugby union team, who in 2015 became national student champions, were highly commended in the Special Contribution – Student Sport category, with Leeds Beckett student Matthew Dobson picking up the main award in that category.

The Yorkshire Jets netball team, coached by Leeds Beckett staff member Anna Carter, were highly commended in the Senior Achievers – Club/Team non-professional category.

Councillor Lisa Mulherin, Leeds City Council’s executive member for health wellbeing and adults, and a member of the Sport Leeds Board, said: “It was a real honour to attend the Leeds Sports Awards and come together as a city to celebrate the amazing achievements of so many people in sport over the last year.

“We are extremely fortunate to have an array of sporting stars and teams based in Leeds, who through their performances are rightly revered not just here but right around the world. It was fantastic to be able to recognise their accomplishments, but what is great about the  Awards is that we also have the chance to thank our unsung heroes who are giving up their own time to teach and inspire people of all ages and levels on a day-to-day basis.

“Without dedicated people working at the grassroots we would not be able to produce the Leeds sporting stars of today or indeed tomorrow, and it was fitting therefore that all of their hard work and effort was recognised.”

Sally Nickson, Head of Sport & Active Lifestyles at Leeds Beckett added: “It is clear to see that our city’s talented individuals and teams continue to improve their performances each year. We are on a journey to help realise success for the city and the Leeds Sports Awards are an opportunity to stop and reflect on this.  We passionately believe that we can be the ‘best’ city for sport.

“The Awards are all about celebrating excellence in our talented athletes, our dedicated coaches, volunteers and administrators, amongst others, and about sharing our achievements and our sporting culture. Our uniqueness in Leeds comes not from all of these things in isolation, brilliant as they are, but actually the way in which we bring them together.  A city-wide passion and commitment to sport and active lifestyles, with us all pulling in the same direction.”

For a full list of winners please visit http://leedssportsawards.co.uk/