With the countdown becoming ever more prevalent, and Loughborough University being the epicentre for Team GB's preparations, it was no surprise to the spectators and VIP's alike that the night featured an Olympic orientated theme. Lisa Dobriskey, 1500 metres gold medallist in the 2006 Commonwealth Games and a former Loughborough University student, kick started the nights ceremony by presenting the 'Manager of the Year Award' to Notts County Gaffer Martin Allen. After joining the Magpies in April this year, Allen confessed himself that the team was nothing more than 'doomed', staring relegation to the basement division of the Football League, League Two, directly in the face. After a number of fantastic results however, Allen rescued County from the daldrums of League One, and so far in the 2011/12 season, his team currently sit in a play-off worthy position.
Richard Whitehead was another victor of the night; the double leg amputee picked up the gong for Disabled Sports Personality of the year, after a remarkable year in his field, or fields, of Athletics. Having begun a training regime designed to prepare for his primary event of Marathon running, the Brit was controversially frozen out of next Years Paralympics Marathon on the basis that the only events for double amputees above the knee are the 100 and 200 metre sprints. Having had to deal with a cocktail of rage and disappointment, Whitehead switched his attention to the 200 metres; which ultimately yielded him Gold at the IPC Championships in January this year and a guaranteed spot in the Paralympic event next year in London. Having never heard of Whitehead, never mind his amazing story, the remarkable athletes' journey was inspirational. As a runner myself I know that training for a 7 mile race and a 6 mile race are completely different, so for a man already challenged by physical deficiencies, to then go change from a 26 mile event to just 200 metres, is something that strikes me as absolutely awe inspiring.
In-between the fantastic live entertainment that we were treated to in the form of the High Jump, BMX freestyle, and gynastics, the awards came thick and fast. Other winners from the night came in the form of Wheelchair Basketball phenomenon Maddie Thompson who won Junior Disabled Sports-person, Derby County defender Mark O'Brien who clinched the Brian Clough Breakthrough Award,promising young Cyclist Lucy Garner who picked up Junior Sports-person of the year, and the Coach of the Year award went to the performance director of the now infamously high performance British Cycling organisation, David Brailsford. The nights Special Award, chosen by a series of judges, went to Lee Penfold, a remarkable young local basketball player who has battled autism throughout his life to become a professional Basketball player and on the way to becoming a figure head at the Special Olympics Summer Games held in Leicester, 2009.
Above and beyond the majority of the award winners however, was the BBC East Midlands Sports Personality of the year, Graeme Swann. After being embedded deep within Andy Flower's England cricket squad ahead of the Ashes series in Australia towards the end of last year, Swann became an instrumental figure; taking no less than 15 wickets come the end of the series, including an astonishing five wicket haul in the second test in Adelaide. Swann furthered his rise to stardom in the Summer this year, after demolishing Sri Lanka in the ODI test series in May, including taking a hugely efficient 7/82 to help England to a clear innings victory. By the end of the Summer and to this current day, Swann is ranked as number one in the ICC ODI Bowlers Rankings; and in doing so becomes the first Englishman to reach such heights of success in the Sport. Having beaten off stiff competition from fellow England Cricketer and Derby-born Stuart Broad, and the hugely successful Rebecca Adlington, who currently sits on top of the 800 metres freestyle world in women's swimming having won Gold at this years World Championships in Shanghai, China.
From a personal perspective, and despite each of the nights nominees and winners thoroughly deserving a degree of recognition, it was two of the ceremony's awards winners that I paid most respect, attention, and pleasure to. Firstly, the Unsung Hero Award was claimed by Steve Pateman, a gym owner. Despite the relatively low key job title, Pateman's span of employment goes much further than it initially suggests, with the Derbyshire man dedicating his every day to helping children get into Sport via the use of his personally-run gym. During Pateman's tribute video screened to the evening's audience, the hard-work, dedication, joy, passion, and determination by Pateman was clear to see, with his two loves of Boxing and helping the community being prevalent in demonstrating such qualities. During his acceptance speech, I became ever more appreciative of such a sporting hero, who in his own tear jerked words, announced that the best part of what he does is: 'Seeing kids smile after they realise they've achieved something through sport' and 'giving something back to a sport (Boxing) that has given me so much'. A true inspiration and eye-opener to myself, aswell as anyone else who has a high regard for Sport and Personality as two key aspects to life.
As a through and through disciple of Leicester City, nothing pleased me more so far this year than seeing club ambassador and undisputed legend, Alan Birchenall pick up the thoroughly deserved Lifetime Achievement award. As is unfortunately common knowledge now, things at Leicester City very rarely feature any sense of continuity. Whether it's the manager, the players, the backroom staff, owners... everything has/is/will probably change. Everything, except Alan Birchenall. As a well travelled retired footballer who exploited his initial trade in the 60's and 70's, Birchenall has ever since been at the forefront of everything that is good about Football, and more specifically, Leicester City. 'The Birch' has forever been the link in-between management and fans; providing a bond with both sides that is vital to the beating heart , mind, and soul of the club. Whether it be his stalwart role of presenting pre-match and half time talks on pitch during Leicester City's games, or the expert analysis he provides in droves via local radio programmes ,or the old fashioned 'one on one' with a respecting fan in and around the stadium or down the local pub, no 'fan' or the Foxes' can contemplate Leicester City Football Club without The Birch. These are just a handful of reasons from my personal perspective why Birchenall's award was the highlight of the night; well, second only to my chance to meet the man himself after the ceremony had concluded! Tireless charity work and a 'big influence' in bringing back cult hero Nigel Pearson to Leicester in the words of the man himself, are a few more elaborative argumentative points as to why Alan Birchenall stands as a man who is no less than a role model to every single man and women alike who considers themselves involved in Sport in any shape or form.
Big thanks to Dawn Blythe for the photography, and giving me the chance to go to such a special night!
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Richard Whitehead was another victor of the night; the double leg amputee picked up the gong for Disabled Sports Personality of the year, after a remarkable year in his field, or fields, of Athletics. Having begun a training regime designed to prepare for his primary event of Marathon running, the Brit was controversially frozen out of next Years Paralympics Marathon on the basis that the only events for double amputees above the knee are the 100 and 200 metre sprints. Having had to deal with a cocktail of rage and disappointment, Whitehead switched his attention to the 200 metres; which ultimately yielded him Gold at the IPC Championships in January this year and a guaranteed spot in the Paralympic event next year in London. Having never heard of Whitehead, never mind his amazing story, the remarkable athletes' journey was inspirational. As a runner myself I know that training for a 7 mile race and a 6 mile race are completely different, so for a man already challenged by physical deficiencies, to then go change from a 26 mile event to just 200 metres, is something that strikes me as absolutely awe inspiring.
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| Take -Off: Loughborough sports student wows the crowd with 2.20 metres jump. |
Above and beyond the majority of the award winners however, was the BBC East Midlands Sports Personality of the year, Graeme Swann. After being embedded deep within Andy Flower's England cricket squad ahead of the Ashes series in Australia towards the end of last year, Swann became an instrumental figure; taking no less than 15 wickets come the end of the series, including an astonishing five wicket haul in the second test in Adelaide. Swann furthered his rise to stardom in the Summer this year, after demolishing Sri Lanka in the ODI test series in May, including taking a hugely efficient 7/82 to help England to a clear innings victory. By the end of the Summer and to this current day, Swann is ranked as number one in the ICC ODI Bowlers Rankings; and in doing so becomes the first Englishman to reach such heights of success in the Sport. Having beaten off stiff competition from fellow England Cricketer and Derby-born Stuart Broad, and the hugely successful Rebecca Adlington, who currently sits on top of the 800 metres freestyle world in women's swimming having won Gold at this years World Championships in Shanghai, China.
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| Idol: Pateman picking up thoroughly deserved Unsung Hero Award |
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| Regions Finest: Alan Birchenall collecting award with new Leicester City gaffer Nigel Pearson and LCFC owner Top Raksriaksorn |
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| Living Legend: Me (far left) with 'The Birch' (far right). |
Big thanks to Dawn Blythe for the photography, and giving me the chance to go to such a special night!
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