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Isle of Man Sports Award Winners Announced

Thu, 04 Apr 2019

Local sporting heroes were celebrated at the Isle of Man Sports Awards, held at the Villa Marina this evening.

The event saw the Island’s community come together to honour the outstanding sporting achievements of 2018.

Guest of honour at this year’s ceremony was 1992 Olympic gold medal winner and former British track and field runner, Sally Gunnell OBE, who stepped up to the event in place of Greg Rutherford MBE, who was unable to attend.

The 2018 Sportsman of the Year award was won by double trap shooter, Tim Kneale, who brought home a silver medal at last year’s Commonwealth Games.

Isle of Man and British Swimmer, Charlotte Atkinson won her second Sportswoman of the Year trophy in two years, following her achievements in the 100m and 200m Butterfly events in the Gold Coast.

Cyclist, Sam Brand was named the Isle of Man Sports Ambassador for 2018. Sam is part of “Team Novo Nordisk”, a professional cycling team consisting exclusively of riders with diabetes.

Fellow cyclist and British Junior Champion, Amelia Sharpe was presented with the Under21 Sportswoman trophy, with Sale Sharks Rugby player, Bevan Rodd picking up the Under 21 Sportsman honour.

Sports Coach of the Year was won by IOM Netball head coach Claire Battye, and the IOM Senior Netball Team received the Sports Team of Year title.

England and Manchester City’s amputee footballer, Sean Jackson collected the Disability Sportsperson of the Year trophy shortly after picking up the Sure Sports Leader trophy; which is given to the volunteer coach who undertakes the most coaching hours following their completion of the Sure Sports Leader Programme.

Sports Administrator of the Year was won by Richie Stevenson for his work with the Manx Fell Runners, and the Veteran Sportsperson trophy was awarded to Karen Chiarello for distance race walking.

The 2018 Lifetime Achievement award was posthumously presented to Leonie Cooil; she held the position as ‘Chef de Mission’ for the IOM Commonwealth Games team as they travelled to compete in Gold Coast last year before her passing in October. During her life, Leonie was heavily involved in swimming; both competing and coaching and was also an anti-doping educator for Isle of Man Sport. The room was upstanding as Leonie was announced as the winner. Her brother Marcus collected the award on her behalf.

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