Atlantic rower named sports personality of the year

7:24am Friday 19th October 2007

More than 150 sports players, coaches, volunteers and dignitaries attended the inaugural Powerade Surrey Sports Awards last weekend.

Hosted by Eagle Radio's Mark Chivers, who was joined on stage by Olympian Mark Richardson, the Oscar-style awards, which were backed by your local Guardian, celebrated the wealth of sporting talent in the county.

Christopher Martin of Molesey Boat Club was named Powerade sports personality of the year.

Having rowed single-handedly across the Atlantic last year, Martin is now in training to row the Pacific Ocean in 2009. He has represented Britain at six World Championships.

The Powerade sports team of the year award was presented to Richard Mollard and Andrew Bird from Guildford Heat Basketball Club, who won 36 of their 42 games to secure an unprecedented double of the British Basketball League and BBL Cup titles.

Winners and other nominations POWERADE SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR

Winner: Guildford Heat Basketball Club Other nominations: Haslemere Hockey Club Ladies 1st XI (Waverley), Dorking Rugby Club 1st XV (Mole Valley).

POWERADE SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

Winner: Christopher Martin (Elmbridge - Molesey Boat Club).

Other nominations: Louisa Sawers (Elmbridge Canoe Club). Rachel Cawthorn (Guildford - Wey Kayak Club).

ALLIANZ INSURANCE YOUNG PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

Winner: Hugo Fleming from Elmbridge. He is a member of Walton Walton Athletics Club, Redhill & Reigate Epee Club, Mitcham Clarion Swim Club & Chessington Equestrian Centre and attends Feltonfleet School.

Other nominations: Hannah Lovelock (Waverley - Hindhead Golf Club), Rikkie Letch (Woking - Winston Churchill School & Aldershot, Farnham & District Athletics Club), Hannah Bush (Mole Valley - Taekwon-do Vision).

SPORTS CLUB OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY SANEX)

Winners: Woking Blackhawks Basketball Club Other nominations: Shepperton Cricket Club (Spelthorne), Camberley Town Youth Football Club (Surrey Heath).

COACH OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY YOUR LOCAL GUARDIAN)

Winner: Ian Welch (Waverley - Haslemere Swimming Club) Other nominations: Steve Foot (Mole Valley - Dorking Freestyle Sport Karate Club), Ian Welch (Waverley - Haslemere Swimming Club), Christine Burton (Guildford - Horsley & Send Cricket Club), Alison Malynn (Reigate & Banstead -Reigate Squash Club).YOUNG SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY YOUR LOCAL GUARDIAN)Winner: Guildford City Swimming Club (Guildford).

Other nominations: Byfleet Village Football Club Boys U18s (Woking), Spelthorne Atoms Basketball Club Boys U16s.

DISABILITY SPORTS AWARD (SPONSORED BY EGHAM OSTEOPATHIC PRACTICE)Winner: Ronald "Ted" Bonner (Waverley - Frensham Pond Sailability Club).

Other nominations: Jess Hunter (Spelthorne - Treloar School). Adaline Fahey (Woking - Heron Lake) OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO SPORT (SPONSORED BY SANEX)

Winner: Ben O'Connor (Elmbridge - Molesey & Claygate Royals Football Clubs).

Other nominations: Arthur Barber (Woking Hockey Club & Sport Woking), Ray Cotton (Waverley - Guildford & District Football League, West Surrey Cricket Association & Farncombe Wanderers Cricket Club).

BAA GATWICK VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Winner: Jim Rossiter (Guildford - Wey Kayak Club).

Other nominations: Bob Cox (Waverley - Godalming Swimming Club). Brian Gandy (Surrey Heath - Basingstoke Canal Canoe Club).

ACTIVE SURREY YOUNG VOLUNTEER OF THE YEARWinner: Vikki Cowlard (Reigate & Banstead - SE Surrey Pupil Referral Unit).

Other nominations: Stefano Artuso (Woking Young Warriors Karate Club), Jamie Dippie (Spelthorne - Ashford Tennis Club).

SPORTING IMPACT & INNOVATION IN SCHOOLS (SPONSORED BY BISHOP SPORTS & LEISURE). Winner: Mid Surrey School Sport Partnership for their B' Team project.

Other nominations: Bishop Wand School Sport Partnership, East Surrey School Sport Partnership, Waverley & Ash School Sport Partnership Organising committee chairman Sarah Williams said: "It was a fantastic evening.

"All of the award winners for the Powerade Surrey Sports Awards 2007 have contributed to making Surrey one of the most active and successful sporting counties in England, and they should be very proud of their achievements and efforts.

"It is just a shame we cannot have more winners for each of the awards, as they all deserve recognition."

For more on the Powerade Surrey Surrey Sports Awards visit activesurrey.com