Local Sporting Stars Honoured at the The Ageas Bowl

Poseidon Boxing Club Coach Stuart O’Connor and Fair Oak Cricket Club were among the winners at the 2015 Eastleigh Sports Awards.

The event which took took place in the magnificent Ageas Ballroom at the Hilton Southampton – The Ageas Bowl, celebrated some of Eastleigh Borough’s greatest coaches, athletes, volunteers, teams and clubs.

Stuart O’Connor, Head Coach at Poseidon Boxing Club, based at the The Ageas Bowl, took home the Performance Coach of the Year, winning the award ahead of Hampshire Cricket spin coach Darren Flint, who was shortlisted.

Fair Oak Cricket Club completed a perfect 20 victories in 20 games for the 2015 season in the County Division One and T20 Competition to win the Sports Team of the Year and Club of the Year. Hedge End Running Club, based at the The Ageas Bowl, were shortlisted for the Club of the Year Award.

Other awards went to Hayley Payne, who took home the Participation Coach of the Year due to her work with Eastleigh running club whilst Kelly Simm was crowned the Senior Sportsperson of the Year after her part in the Great Britain Women’s Artistic Team Bronze at the World Championships in Glasgow.

David Smith was named the Senior Disability Sportsperson of the Year after ending 2015 ranked second in the world and Great Britain’s number one in Boccia, whilst the Junior Disability Sportsperson of the Year award went to Liam Hall.

Ethan Smith won the Junior Sportsman of the Year Award due to his recent snowboarding success whilst Holly Powell was named the Junior Sportswoman of the Year for her success in multiple athletics and football: she won all three of her events, achieving Championship Best Performance in the 200m at the Hampshire County Championships, and won Gold in the 200m National Finals.

The Junior Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Jordan Fugh for his commitment and personal dedication to Fleming Park Judo Club whilst Poseidon Boxing Club’s Dan Rush was named the Senior Volunteer of the Year.

The Outstanding Personal Achievement Award went to Russell Hersey. Russell was the winner of this award having recently undergone major heart surgery.  He recovered quickly and was soon back on the mat coaching and practicing Judo. In April 2015, Russell successfully achieved his black belt.

The awards evening was organised by Eastleigh’s Sport and Physical Activity Alliance (SPAA). Lou Gittens, Chair of the Eastleigh SPAA, and ex-Saint Francis Benali, the Alliance’s Official Ambassador officially opened the event, which was compered by former Hampshire cricketer and BBC Radio Solent presenter, Kevan James.