Monday December 7th was the evening of the Herald Sports Personality of The Year awards 2010. These awards have been running now for nine years which allows Plymouth to celebrate sporting success both on and off the field. The last time I was up for one of the awards was back in 2003 where I won Amateur Sports Personality of The Year, that seems a very long time ago now and what a journey both mentally and physically I have been on since then!! As mentioned in a previous post this year I was up for Champagne Moment of The year which is awarded for the best sporting moment, and also Sports Personality of The Year.
These awards are always a fantastic night and a chance for sportsmen and women, coaches, officials, clubs, family, friends and fans to meet and look back on the sporting highs Plymouth have achieved throughout the year. There are eight categories awarded on the night and there is a few that I thought were very well deserved. Coach of The Year went to Plymouth Leander's and my friend Jon Rudd who helped sprint swimmer Antony James to two medals at the Commonwealth Games, he keeps telling me he could make me a swimmer but I keep telling him I don't like putting my head under water as it will mess up my hair and make my makeup run haha. He's a lovely guy and totally deserved to win.
I was also pleased for the winner of Outstanding Contribution To Sport this went to a good friend Keith Reed from the Armada Athletics Network. I have known Keith for a very long time and he has always been very supportive throughout my athletic career. Keith has been involved in athletics for the best part of 30 years as an athlete, a coach and now administrator. He works very hard and is dedicated to athletics and works hard to promote and develop athletics in the city. For me he also deserved to win without Keith around in Plymouth athletics would have fallen by the way side. So thank you Keith for all your hard work.
Champagne Moment Of The Year was awarded to Tom Daley for the perfect day at the Commonwealth Games where he achieved seven flawless 10's from the judges and won the Gold. Tom is such an amazing young talent and a very nice young man too. I knew that Tom would pick up this award his performance well and truly beat any of our achievements this year perfect 10's by a 16 year old he has my vote for the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year.
The main award of the night was the big Sports Personality Of The Year and this was definitely the toughest category every seen at these awards, it had five Commonwealth Games medalists who had all achieved an amazing year anyone could have won it, it really was hard to call. At my table we had our money on Tom taking it, I really was not prepared at all for what was about to come. Colin Jackson was guest of honor and he opened the envelope and said it's an athlete, at this point I swore a little then thought OK we are all athletes really, it could be any of use, then when he said she has been out of the sport for five years, I really swore I couldn't believe that it was me I was totally blown away, a complete shock. The whole room came to their feet, clapped and cheered and I was still sat in shock. How emotional was I haha, my mum and dad where so proud. The walk to the stage was where I had to hold back the tears this for me was the icing on the cake to a great comeback year, I really couldn't believe that I had won during my speech I thanked my parents for everything as they are the only ones who have been by my side through the good times and the bad. They are the ones who believe in me and what I can achieve, they support me financially, they really are my world and without them by my side I would not be where I am today.
What a great way to put a lid on 2010 an unbelievable year the last five years of my life have been the hardest ever, I have overcome so much heartache and injuries over the last five years but it's moments like these that makes it all worthwhile. Thank you Plymouth ;-) xxxxxx
No comments:
Post a Comment