COMMUNITY sport from across the two counties was celebrated at the annual Herefordshire and Worcestershire Sports Awards at Worcester Warriors’ Sixways Stadium.

An inspirational evening celebrated the success of those involved in delivering community sport as well as highlighting the achievements of the talented athletes.

The 2015 award winners ranged from six-year-old Louis Rickett from The Vale Golf Club in Bishampton, who won BBC newcomer of the year, up to unsung hero winner Alec Davies, 91, from Worcester St John’s Cycling Club.

Organised by the Sports Partnership Herefordshire and Worcestershire, the winners were unveiled at the event, which was attended by more than 250 amateur and professional sports people, local businesses and dignitaries.

Badminton Olympic silver medallist Gail Emms MBE said: “I had a fantastic evening at the sports awards.

“It has been a truly inspirational evening.

“It’s so important to have events like this to celebrate the success and hard work of inspirational people because they get up every morning and help someone get better, help someone learn a new sport and really recognise their passion.

“Without these people, British sport wouldn’t exist. Congratulations to all the winners and to all the nominees. They all did themselves extremely proud.”

Stephen Brewster, director of the two counties’ sports partnership, said: ‘This event is our chance to honour our local sportsmen and women, coaches, volunteers, clubs and officials. It’s not only about celebrating the achievements of the huge amount of sporting talent we have in the counties but about recognising and saying thank you to those involved in running grassroots sports clubs.

“The awards give us a chance to champion the hard work and talent that exists within Herefordshire and Worcestershire.”

Worcester City’s Sean Geddes, 23, was sports personality of the year for his goalscoring exploits from midfield last season.

They included starring in the club’s FA Cup run to the second round and their victory at Coventry City.

Senior male sports person of the year was Phil Pratt with the 21-year-old being one of the youngest players on the Great Britain men’s wheelchair basketball team.

Pratt has moved to Worcester from south Wales to train full-time at the University of Worcester Arena, where he helped GB win gold at the European Championships and secure a spot at the Rio Paralympics.

Worcester Swimming Club’s Tazmin Pugh, 15, won junior female sports person of the year after winning six medals for England at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa among various successes.

Other accolades were shared across the two counties with Worcester, Malvern, Hereford, Kidderminster, Ross-on-Wye and Upton all figuring.

WINNERS Sports Personality of the Year: Sean Geddes (Worcester City FC).

Senior Male Sports Person of the Year: Phil Pratt (GB Men’s Wheelchair Basketball).

Senior Female Sports Person of the Year: Barbara Gibson (Malvern Hills Badminton Club).

Junior Male Sports Person of the Year: James Bilbao (City of Hereford Swimming Club).

Junior Female Sports Person of the Year: Tazmin Pugh (Worcester Swimming Club, Pershore Swimming Club and Ellesmere Titans Swimming Club).

Coach of the Year: Tony Wright (Kidderminster Tennis Club).

Young Volunteer of the Year: Matthew Plumpton (Worcester Parkrun).

Junior Team of the Year: Barnards Green U11/U12 Cricket Club.

Community Club of the Year: Ross Juniors FC.

Disabled Sports Person of the Year: Jennifer Chesterman (Special Olympics GB/Special Olympics Worcestershire).

Volunteer of the Year: Peter Barker (Upton Rowing Club).

Unsung Hero: Alec Davies (Worcester St Johns Cycling Club).

Community Project of the Year: Homeless Rugby Warriors WYMCA.

BBC Newcomer of the Year: Louis Rickett (The Vale Golf Club).