Mayor Maura Hickey and rower Joel Cassells presented Coleraine's annual sports awards this week
The regional heat in Coleraine was held ahead of the main Causeway Coast and Glens sporting awards to be held next month. Coleraine's best and brightest athletes were honoured.
A presentation ceremony was held at Cloonavin with special guest, Team GB rower Joel Cassells along with Discrict Mayor Alderman Maura Hickey. Mayor Hickey said that it was important to recognise the efforts of all sports people in the area.
John Church picked up the best Sportsman award. The clay target shooter became only the second person ever to win the Ulster Open and Grand Prix in the same year. Meanwhile the top Sportswoman gong went to hockey player Katie Mullan. At age 22 Katie picked up her 100th cap for Ireland and was part of the side that travelled to the Hawkes Bay tournament in New Zealand.
Elsewhere Springwell Running Club's Alison Rankin picked up the Sports Administrator award, while 10 year old judo competitor Mairi Clements was named best sportsperson with a disability. Mairi competes against able bodied athletes and placed 5th in the Northern Ireland Open.
Mairi Clements receives her award from Hugh Wade and Joel Cassells
Photo Credit: causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk
After winning the Ulster hockey senior 3 league for the second consecutive season, Coleraine's Ladies Hockey first's were name as the best senior (over 19) team. The best junior team prize, went to Millburn Primary School's football side.
Junior Sportsman and Sportswoman went to Marcus Poskitt and Molly Curry respectively. 15 year-old Marcus has a full season with Coleraine's 1st IX cricket side under his belt. While Molly has several titles to her name including Ulster Breaststroke Champion.
Sika and Riada gymnastics coach Mike Robinson was awarded for services to sport, while Stephen McCartney won the Best Coach prize for his work with Coleraine Ladies Hockey Club.
Team GB Olympic rower Alan Campbell was named as the International Sportsman Hall of Fame winner after competing in four consecutive Olympic Games. Churchland's Golden Gloves boxing club picked up a special merit award. The boxing club has produced five Ulster champions, eight county champions and two Monkstown Box Cup champions.
The overall Causeway Coast and Glens awards will be presented at a gala event on the 5th November
Millburn's award winning football side
Photo Credit: causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk: