They were there for the Active Sunderland Community Sports Awards 2015 to recognise the achievements and contribution of individuals and organisations involved in local sport at all levels.
Over 250 nominees from the community network of local clubs, coaches and individuals in Sunderland attended with awards presented by the Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Barry Curran.
The presentation followed displays by Apollo Trampoline Club, North East Visually Impaired Tennis Club, Sunderland Rugby Club and Sendai Kushiro Karate.
The Active Sunderland Sports Awards 2015 were presented to;
Volunteer of the Year
WINNER – Sharon Cosgrove (St Aidan’s Junior Badminton Club)
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Joe Lemon and Bobby Surtees (Ryhope Sea Angling Club)
Community Sport Club of the Year
WINNER – Sunderland RFC
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Apollo Trampoline Club
Junior Sport Achievement of the Year
WINNER – Keiran McDonald (Sunderland ABC)
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Eliana Rooks (Sendai Kushiro Karate)
Disabled Sports Person of the Year
WINNER – Matthew Wylie – (City of Sunderland Amateur Swimming Club)
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Steven Angus (Sunderland Indoor Bowls Club)
Sport Achievement of the Year
WINNER – Alyson Dixon (Sunderland Strollers)
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Josh Kelly (Houghton ABC)
Inspiring Sport in the Community
WINNER – Bill Leach (Apollo Trampoline Club)
Portfolio Holder for Public Health, Wellness and Culture, Councillor John Kelly said: “A massive congratulations to all those who were nominated, highly commended and received awards.
”It is contribution of everyone involved with sport at community level, that allows us to provide people with access to such a wide range of activities, coaching and involvement in our city.
“The Active Sunderland Community Sports Awards helped raise awareness and celebrate the achievements of those individuals, clubs and volunteers who are helping to achieve our shared vision of making Sunderland an Active Sunderland and a better place to live.”
Sunderland City Council’s ‘Active Sunderland’ works with partners across the city creating opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to be active and take part in a huge range of physical, sporting, leisure and voluntary activities across the citywww.activesunderland.org.uk