VOLUNTEERS from Bude and Launceston picked up 'Cornwall Sports Awards' on Friday November 7 at Tregenna Castle, St Ives.

Organised by the Cornwall Sports Partner­ship, the event was set up three years ago to thank those who dedicate their time and efforts to supporting our strong sports community.

Thirteen awards were presented, in four separate categories, including: Coaching (sponsored by Truro College); Club (sponsored by Tony Pryce Sports); Officiating (sponsored by Miller Countrywide); and Volunteering (sponsored by Cornwall Centre for Volunteers). Presented with awards by representatives of the sponsors, the winners included:

Coaching: Male Coach of the Year — John Rhodes, Launceston Swimming Club; Female Coach of the Year — Eve Methven, Bude Junior Squash Club; Young Coach of the Year U25 — Tom Lyle, Launceston Badminton and Cricket Clubs.

Officiating: Young Official of the Year — Paul Wilson, Callington School.

Volunteering: Young Leader of the Year — Jordan White, Bude School.

Special guests who spoke at the ceremony included Olympic Gold medal rower Ed Coode MBE, Olympic runner Jemma Simpson and Paralympic Bronze medal swimmer Matthew Whorwood.

Ed Coode MBE said: "It's an absolute honour to be at this event and to celebrate the successes of sports clubs, coaches and volunteers throughout the county."

In a special award presentation, Jemma Simpson presented Tony Lett of Cornwall Athletics Club with an England Athletics' Gold Award, which he recently won at a national level for his services to coaching. And, the Cornish swimmers who attended the 2008 Beijing Olympics were presented with special awards by the Cornwall Amateur Swimming Association.

Cornwall Sports Awards organiser, Natasha Howard of the Cornwall Sports Partnership, said: "It's wonderful to be able to formally thank all the people behind sport whose volunteering efforts so often go unrecognised. As we all know, without their help, sport in Cornwall would not be as strong as it is and may not even be possible."