The winners were announced in a presentation night last week (credit: Ron Cook)
The Havering Sports Council Awards Presentation Night took place at Upminster Golf Club on Monday, 5 February.
It looks at all the borough’s best athletes, volunteers and officials who were nominated for each category by the public.
Eight awards were handed out during the awards ceremony with diving coach John Whitby the M/c for a 27th consecutive year.
The long-established Havering Sports Council Awards Presentation Evening has honoured local sports participants since the mid-’60s and has been at Upminster Golf Club for over 2 decades. The function was sponsored by McDonalds Restaurants of Romford.
The Mayor of Havering, Councillor Stephanie Nunn was in attendance on the night. She was accompanied by Madame Mayor’s Consort Councillor Barry Mugglestone, Andrew Rosindell MP for Romford and Havering Greater London Authority Member Councillor Keith Prince.
Here’s a full list of the winners:
Hope McSheffrey was given Junior Sports Competitor of the Year which was presented by Jeremy West MBE. Hope was a goalkeeper during 8 years with Tigers Junior Football Club. At one time she was the only girl in her team and in its League. Hope was scouted by Arsenal Ladies Under 16 team following a successful trial. In 2022, she made a National squad and 2023 brought International recognition with 5 caps at Under 16 level including away fixtures in Portugal and Sweden. 2023 also saw elevation to Arsenal’s Under 21 squad on a 2 years’ contract and appearances in the Women’s Academy League.
Peter Brinton-Quinn was awarded Sports Competitor of the Year. In April last year, Peter earned his season’s first medal with a javelin gold at the Essex County Athletic Association Championships in May and a month later he defended his South of England title. Two weeks’ later he added an England Under 23 silver medal to his growing collection. After finishing 6th in the UK Senior Championships in Manchester, he gained another silver medal – this time in the England Athletics Senior Championships at Chelmsford in July. In the 2023 National Under 23 Rankings he occupied 2nd position. Competing for Havering Athletic Club in 3 National League fixtures, he was a winner in all appearances.
The award was sponsored posthumously by former respected Councillor Denis Breading. The award was presented by his widow Mrs. Mary Breading, former Honorary Treasurer of Havering Sports Council.
Winner of the Disability Sports Competitor of the Year was Olly Beadle. The 24-year-old is a dyspraxia and autism sufferer who has committed himself to tennis since aged 7. He belongs to his local Cranston Park Club in Upminster and also nearby Brentwood Tennis Club, where he normally plays or trains 4-or-5 times a week.
Olly was invited to appear in the inaugural Learning Disability Australian Open where he returned home with a bronze medal in the men’s singles. In March, a gold doubles medal came his way at a regional event at Gosling and another Gold a month later in the singles at Pershore. He made his debut on grass at Wimbledon in a “Play Your Way” learning Disability Tournament during August – winning on a tie-break against the World No.2 player, who Olly had never previously beaten. Olly currently is our No.3 UK ranked player and No.5 on the World list. He was presented the award by Martin Beadle.
The Sports Volunteer of the Year was Trevor Wells. He’s been involved with Havering Athletic Club since 1990. A former international he qualified as a jumps coach and over the years has coached many to successfully follow his footsteps, including his son who has competed for Great Britain. He currently coaches a group of senior athletes who compete for Havering AC in the National and Southern Leagues and also in National and International events. Trevor has been a Committee man for much of his time at the Club, with many years service as Coaching Co-ordinator. The award was presented by John Mylod.
Romford Golf Club Cadet was awarded the Sports Team of the Year. A 42 strong Section ranges from 8-to-18 in age and in ability from +4 to 54 handicap. A number have represented Essex Under 14s and Under 16s in County teams and also appear in Open competitions. Scratch players compete in National events with great success as well as abroad where 3 played in the Faldo Series Final. The award was presented by Spencer Seaton.
The Senior School Team of the Year award was given to Redden Court under 13 football team. They enjoyed an incredible run towards victory in the England Schools Football Association Cup, Havering Cup and the Essex Cup. They played 24 games during this period, winning 23 and losing just once – and that on penalties. The highlight was a dramatic English Schools final against West Derby School from Liverpool, which saw a 3-2 victory. Simon Fell presented the award.
Primary School Team of the Year was given to Gidea Park Primary School Year 5/6 Girls Football Team. They started their season with a 12-0 friendly win after which they never looked back. The team also became Havering Under-11 champions and represented Havering in the London Youth Games. Former Mayor Melvin Wallace who is the Chairman of Havering Sports Council presented the award.
Winners Terry Fisher and Jill Wright, alongside Andrew Rosindell (pic: Ron Cook)
The final presentation of the night was the Peter Bruce Lifetime Achievement Award which was awarded to both Terry Fraser and Jill Wright. This year was only the second time the adjudication Sub-Committee have declared a tie – so each recipient will hold this trophy for 6 months. The award was presented by Andrew Rosindell MP.
Terry Fraser has been a committed volunteer at Hornchurch FC for 23 years. He’s worked as ‘Facilities Manager’ and has been central to the club throughout. Terry assists all users of Hornchurch Stadium including Havering Athletic Club and the Local Authority who stage many sporting events there. He also prepares the ground on match days and clears up afterwards, alongside emptying litter bins and sweeping out changing rooms.
Joint winner, Jill has clocked-up 40 years continuous active membership of Upminster Hockey Club. During this time she’s been a long time dedicated Committee member who manages matches for seven ladies teams every week. Jill helps as a fixtures planner and also produces an annual fixtures booklet. She’s also Divisional Representative for “Essex Hockey” and a long a term Committee member whose counsel is seen in her role as Chairman of Selectors. Jill has umpired for 20 years and currently umpires at Olympic Park youth tournaments.
The Mayor of Havering, Councillor Stephanie Nunn, addressed the gathering after the award presentations, before President of Havering Sports Council, Mr.Jeremy West MBE made a concluding speech.
There was then a short charity auction conducted by the Havering Sports Chairman Melvin Wallace, for 4-ball golf rounds donated by both Romford and Upminster Golf Clubs. The function ended with a buffet.
Tags: Havering
