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11th annual Carmarthenshire Sports Personality awards.
17 Feb 2009
The Awards Evening was organised by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Sports Development Unit in partnership with Carmarthenshire Local Sports Council. The evening was organised to promote, recognise and reward those athletes, coaches and volunteers who have achieved and who contributed towards the continued success of sport in the County.
Volunteer of the Year, nominees were:
Debra Morris, Gymnastics
Mike Thomas, Disability Sport
Cyril Rogers, Rugby
Mike Thomas
Mike has volunteered his services to disability sport for the last 4 years. Mike isn’t attached to any particular club, however he volunteers at a number of different sporting events each year. These events include athletics, boccia, and swimming, as well as the annual Carmarthenshire Disabled Sports and Activities Open day. In order to help at these events, Mike takes annual leave from work.
Mike is also involved in leading boccia sessions at Hendy School as well as volunteering with the Dragon Sport scheme.
Unfortunately Mike did not win the Volunteer of the Year Award for Carmarthenshire but was an honoured to be list in the top three.
Sports Coach of the Year, the nominees, were:
Richard Wyer, Athletics
John Kelman, Air Target Shooting
Peter Nicholas, Football
John Kelman
John is a coach with the 3 Counties Air Target club based in the Showground, Carmarthen. John has achieved success this year, with a number of his members travelling abroad to compete in competitions. In January 2008, a silver medal was won in the Scottish Air Gun championships, in August, John had nine members competed in a junior international match held in Bisley. In September, one of his athletes represented Great Britain in Sweden and won a team gold medal and two athletes represented Wales in the Commonwealth Youth Games in India in October. In total, John has coached 6 Welsh juniors to represent Great Britain.
John also coaches a young modern pentathlete and this athlete has represented Great Britain and is ranked 3rd for his age group in Great Britain.
John not only coaches, but is so committed to his sport and club, that the 3 Counties Air Target club is a fully integrated club. The club accommodates members of all abilities and disabilities. If equipment is not suitable for any disabled member, then this does not deter John, he will adapt equipment to ensure that anyone interested, will take part. The club was the first club in Wales to go through the Disability Sport Wales Clubmark Accreditation scheme.
Carmarthenshire’s Sports Coach of the Year for 2008, John Kelman, Air Target Shooting.
Disabled Sportswoman of the Year, nominees, were:
Claire Williams, Athletics
Hannah Gleeson, Skiing
Jemma Morris – Archery
Claire Williams
Claire is from Carmarthen and is currently a student at Louborough University. In May 2008, Claire competed in the Paralympics World Cup in Manchester and recorded a personal best in the discus event. In September, Claire represented Great Britain in the Paralympics in Beijing, also in the F12 discuss category and Claire finished a reputable 5th place
Carmarthenshire’s Disabled Sportswoman of the Year for 2008 Claire Williams
Disabled Sportsman of the Year, nominees, were:
Dai Davies, Archery
Eirian Griffiths, Air Target Shooting
Rhydian Davies, Boccia
Eirian Griffiths
Eirian a member of the 3 Counties Air target club in Carmarthen and is a regular participant at the club. Eirian does not have any control of his right arm and he has permanent head movements, therefore it is very difficult for Eirian to line up the sights to shoot the pistol. However, this does not deter Eirian and his coach John Kelman, has specially adapted equipment, so Eirian can operate the equipment by using his feet. Eirian is an inspiration to many and is a very popular member of the air target shooting community.
Carmarthenshire’s Disabled Sportsman of the Year for 2008 Eirian Griffiths
Lisa Pudner the Disability Sport Wales Development Officer for the County said "I was delighted at the very strong disabled representation at this year’s Awards Evening, as well as the Disabled Sportsman and woman categories there was also representation in Coach and Volunteer of the Year."
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