Froch scoops top county award

This is Nottingham8th February, 2010

CARL Froch scooped the prestigious Sportsperson of the Year award at the Nottinghamshire Sports Review of the Year 2009 last night.

The Nottingham boxer accepted the award in front of an invited audience of 450 guests at the East Midlands Conference Centre.

Froch is the current unbeaten WBC super-middleweight champion and beat off stiff competition to lift the coveted crown, among them last year's winner and double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington and Ashes Test heroes Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad.

Other nominations: Rebecca Adlington (swimming), Phil Beniston (power lifting), Graeme Swann (cricket), Stuart Broad (cricket), James Reeves (freestyle kayaking).

Swann, Broad and fellow cricketer Jenny Gunn were all given Outstanding Achievement Awards

All-rounder Gunn played a valuable part in England victories that saw the team win the ICC World Cup and the ICC World Twenty20 in 2009. They also retained the Ashes and defeated Australia 4-0 in the NatWest one-day series. Her next challenge is on the England tour of India which begins this month.

Broad was England's leading wicket taker in Ashes series, and man of the match in the final Test at the Oval, claiming 5-37 in the Australian first innings, including 4-8 in 21 balls. He was also awarded the Man of the Series accolade for his one-day performances in May against the West Indies.

Swann claimed his fourth five-wicket haul in 2009 to become the first English spinner to pass 50 wickets in a calendar year, finishing third in the International Cricket Council's (ICC) bowling rankings. His contributions with both bat and ball sparked England's winning Ashes series.

Coach of the Year (performance) was Glenn Smith. Working with Paralympic swimmers Sam Hynd and Charlotte Henshaw, Smith guided both to gold at the European Championships and Paralympic World Cup.

He is a regular member of the Team GB disability coaching staff and has coached 13 Nova swimmers to the national age and youth championships.

Also shortlisted: Ian Kime (gymnastics), Steve Millett (rowing).

Coach of the Year (community) went to Gary Lambert. Working with 70 juniors at his local cricket club, Lambert coaches both winter and summer sessions and has set up an academy offering specialised coaching to more talented members. He also coaches the Nottinghamshire Ladies cricket team and has been invited to travel to South Africa this year with the England Ladies U17 team.

Also shortlisted: Stuart Bell (rugby union), Karen Cresswell (netball).

Junior Sportsperson of the Year was cricketer Anuj Dal. In October, he travelled with the England U16 indoor cricket team for the World Cup in Australia. Only 13 years old, he was the top batsman. He is the captain of Nottinghamshire's U14 side and trains with the school's first team at U18 level. In July, he took 5-19 in the County Cup.

Also shortlisted: Oliver Holland (squash), Ruby Straw (gymnastics).

Swimmer Sam Hynd is the Disabled Sportsperson of the Year.

It was another amazing year for the Paralympic champion as he took gold at the Paralympic World Cup in May and three golds and a silver at the European Championships in October. These followed a new British and European Record in the 200 IM at the British Championships in March.

Also shortlisted: Charlotte Henshaw (swimming), James Oldham (kayaking).

Team of the Year was the GB Slalom Women's K1 Team (Kayaking).

The team, consisting of Lizzie Neave, Louise Donington, and Laura Blakeman, which trains at the National Watersports Centre, won gold at both the World Championships and European Championships in their first season competing together. This was Great Britain's first gold medal at the World Championship team event.

Also shortlisted: Birchall brothers (sidecar racing), GB white water rafting team, Tim Baille and Etienne Stott (Pairs kayaking),

Beeston Hockey Club was named Club of the Year. Beeston's junior club has expanded this year to 490 players. The club also provides support and training for coaches and volunteers as well as leadership schemes for young people. This year the club has hosted national hockey festivals and full internationals.

Also shortlisted: Special Olympics Nottinghamshire (multi-sport), West Bridgford Monarchs Hockey Club, West Bridgford Tennis Club.

Junior Team of the Year went to Nottingham Rowing Club U14 Boys Quad.

The boys have not lost a quad this season. At the National Rowing Championships they won gold in the J14 category. They won the single scull event too as well as silver in the double sculls. There were also golds at the National Schools Regatta, the Junior Inter-Regional, and the National Junior Sculling Head.

Also nominated: Notts School of Gymnastics Under 14 Team, Lowes Wong Junior School Kwik Cricket Team.

Junior Disabled Sportsperson of the Year went to Richard Sargent (wheelchair basketball).

Regularly playing in the Great Britain Under 23 side this year, Sargent won a silver medal at the European Cup and has played in successful winning tests against Australia and the Netherlands. He is also captain of the Jaguars junior side that finished in the top threeof the National League.

Also shortlisted: Andrew Zawadzki (swimming), Matthew Baines (kayaking).

Volunteer of the Year Les Chambers spent almost every weekend between April and September officiating at athletics fixtures at all levels.

He also mentors newly-qualified officials. As a coach, Chambers runs both junior and circuit training sessions.

Also shortlisted: Carol Halpin (swimming), Cathy Rooney (athletics).

Junior Volunteer of the Year Bonnie Tinsley volunteers at Newark Athletics Club, Newark MEND programme and Magnus School Boccia Club for more than six hours a week and has supported major events such as the Newark Race for Life and the European Canoe Slalom Championships.

Also nominated: Matthew Baines (kayaking), Alice Pearson (gymnastics)

The East Midlands Airport Nottinghamshire Youth Games Fair Play Award was awarded to Rushcliffe.

Four names were added to the county's Roll of Honour - athletics coach Sue Chillingworth, John Hill (from Balderton Old Boys FC, horseball's David Pettifor and Allen Urch , from Sutton Swimming Club.