A Night of Celebration at the Devon Sports Awards 2019

Community sporting heroes and heroines across Devon were recognised at Sandy Park on Thursday 11th July 2019 during the 22nd Devon Sports Awards. The evening was an opportunity to pay tribute and thank groups and individuals who enable thousands of people in Devon to be active and enjoy sport at a grass-roots level.

The celebration evening was a culmination of a six-month nomination and shortlisting process organised by a partnership of the Exeter Chiefs Foundation, Active Devon and Exeter College.

Guest speakers included Kate Salmon from Row the Ocean. Kate shared her experience of rowing the Atlantic Ocean in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, December 2018, in order to raise awareness of the ocean plastics crisis. Plus, inspire a plastic free generation as well as a plastic Free Exeter by 2020. Along with her hard-hitting message of the stream of plastic pollution she witnessed, guests also took away thoughts of how sore one’s bum gets on an Atlantic row and how valued Hobnob biscuits are!

Devon’s Celebrities Galore!

A Q and A with Rob Baxter, Director of Rugby at the Exeter Chiefs provoked an enlightening and entertaining midway break to the awards, responding well to guest host for the evening, Jenny Walrond. He’s still to answer the thought-provoking question about when dogs lick your face but did give a good insight into his journey through rugby and thoughts on youngsters and sport.

The sports awards showed how dedicated our sporting community heroes truly are and paid tribute to all the hard work which is going on within Devon with the winners listed below.

The Devon Sports Awards Winners Are…

Devon Coach of the Year – James Lake, Tavistock Swimming Club

Devon Young Coach of the Year – Cody Levell, Totnes and Dartington Disability Football

Devon Volunteer of the Year – Rex Meredith, Castle Inn Rowers

Devon Young Volunteer of the Year – Beth Groves, St Budeaux Tennis Club

Contribution to Inclusive Sport – Deaf Get Active and Volunteer, Living Options

Devon Club of the Year – Axe Vale Netball Club

Workplace Activity Champion – Charlotte Gill, Livewell Southwest

Performances in Community Sport:

• Tilly Robinson, Westcountry Hawks
• Ashmoor Hockey Club
• Bryony Frost
• Dawlish Ladies Football Club U18s
• City of Plymouth Trampoline and Gymnastic Club

Business Contribution to Sport in the Community – Exeter City Community Trust (Exeter)

Business Contribution to Staff Wellbeing through Sporting Activity – Axminster Tools and Machinery

Active Devon’s Chief Executive Matt Evans said:

“We are very proud of the Devon Sports Awards, which we started 22 years ago and now have the help of the Exeter Chiefs Foundation and Exeter College. They continue to provide a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the tireless hard work and dedication of coaches, officials, volunteers and clubs that make sport happen across our wonderful county as well as the fantastic achievements of our teams and individual athletes, both in community and elite sport.”