SPORTSMEN, women and their supporters from all over East Hampshire gathered at the annual sports awards, held at Old Thorns Country Hotel’s Gatsby suite. Now in its sixth year, the glittering ceremony was hosted by sporting legend and Olympic medalist Roger Black, with Ben Smith, who completed 401 marathons in as many days, delivering this year’s inspirational and moving keynote speech.

Deputy council leader Julie Butler, opened the evening, welcomed all nominees from the large pool of sporting talent across the district as well as it’s unsung heroes, who are, she said, the DNA of every club.

Hampshire born Roger Black, who won a Silver Medal in Atlanta in 1996 and a Gold Medal in the World Championships in 1991 and 1997, called it a very special event, which covers a whole spectrum of sport and a diverse number of awards. “Sport is inspirational,” he said.

“Dare to dream. It is never too late to turn your life around through sport.”

During his powerful and personal recount of how he found his path to sport, marathon man Ben Smith praised the event, which, he said, was about what people can achieve through sport and all the levels of support they provide and how people can become extraordinary through sport.

After suffering a mini-stroke at the age of 29 and weighing over 17 stone, Ben decided to change his life dramatically.

He started running and within six months completed his first half marathon, followed by his first full marathon one year later.

He said: “Getting a medal at the end was magical for me – it meant so much, after not believing in myself for so long. I ran my second marathon in Amsterdam and re-discovered my love for travel. I had grown through sport and subsequently ran 18 marathons around the world.

“In 2014, I decided to do something different and came up with 401 marathons in 401 days. It was a challenge to raise awareness about bullying.

“I visited over 100 schools and wanted to raise a quarter of a million pounds. The final total was £330,000. It was the proudest thing I have ever done in my life – my love for sport was so strong and people shared that passion. Sport changed my life – and made the impossible possible.”

Ben founded a mental health charity, put on running events to fund it and has just revealed that in 2020 there will be a new challenge - even bigger that the 401 event. When asked why 401 marathons he said: “The most marathons ever run in the world at that time were 365 – I rounded it up and added one for a victory lap.”

This year’s Portfolio Holder Award went to all three worthy nominees, including Ropley Cricket Club girls team, who with little or no cricket experience, their commitment to sport and their spirit of cricket have established a field team.

Hollywater School, for children with special needs, last year participated in a variety of sports including athletics, pantaloon, table cricket, ball skills and kiwi cricket, coming overall first as a school with their “give it a go” positive attitude.

Florence Harry from Alton, at the age of eight, is currently the British Baton Twirling Federation National Twirler of the year 2017, after starting only two years ago a part of her club Shining Light Twirlstars.

Herne Girl’s football team, winners of the School Team of the Year award have completed a winning season and inspired some 50 girls to join their after school club, which is currently larger than the boys.

Winner of the Junior Sportsman category, which received a record of 25 nominations, was Luke Anstey, who has been selected onto the British Youth Sailing Pathway running from junior level to Olympic Squad. He intends to complete his RYA Assistant Instructor accreditation in 2018 to help with training.

The Junior Sportswoman of the Year was shared by cricketer Charlie Dean and Toni Shering, a black belt and gold medalist in karate kata.

Junior Disability Sportsperson Award winner Lizzie Allen qualified to compete in the European Down Syndrome Swimming Championships in Paris, as the youngest and fastest junior in the 50m breaststroke.

Junior Volunteer of the Year, Christina Linton has been with Swallows Trampolining Club since 2014 and gives up any spare time to help out.

Cricketing brothers Hugo and Alex Hammond were awarded Senior Disability Sportsperson of the Year, and are preparing for when England host the 2019 Disability World Cup.

The outstanding achievement award went to: John Harvey – a regular walker with Alice Holt Walking to Health group, despite suffering from dementia, while Zoe Perkins, who has been diagnosed with stage four Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, continues with her roles at Alpha Trampoline Club, increasing her coaching hours and achieving her level two qualifications.

Chris Norkett, who was diagnosed with highly dangerous blood pressure, has not looked back since he was referred to the Alton Cardiac Rehab Centre in 2014. He lost 13 stone, gave up smoking and started running marathons, raising money for the centre, becoming an ambassador for sport and healthy lifestyle. The other winners were:–

Senior Team: Petersfield Rugby Club

Club: Four Marks Martial Arts Academy

Coach: James Alder (Four Marks MAA)

Senior Volunteers: Kathy Mason and Ollie Butler (Walking Netball Horndean)

Senior Sportsman: William Birch-Tomlinson (Sailing)

Master Sportsman: Mark Nevola (Four Marks MAA)

Service to Sport: John Marlow (Medstead Tennis Club)