AN inspiring night at the annual Sport Haslemere awards brought together a mix of great sporting talents and achievements from the town and beyond.

Some 140 people enjoyed a night at Haslemere Hall to celebrate and soak up the atmosphere before applauding the sporting highlights over the the past 12 months.

With so many young sporting stars present on the night, and several internationals plus Stephen Milliner, the town’s very own croquet world champion, who gave a fantastic and thought provoking speech at the event.

Haslemere Mayor Malcolm Carter, and Mayoress Sandie Carter, also attended the sporting presentation.

Sport Haslemere chairman Peter Lawrence welcomed guests and spoke of the importance of promoting sport in the area and helping clubs to find grant money to improve their facilities.

A total of 12 awards were made and presented to winners in a variety of categories.

The winners were:

Junior Sports Team: Grayshott Cricket Club U8s

Sports Team: Grayshott Tennis Club’s men’s doubles team

Young Coach: Edward Vass (Fernhurst Football Club)

Sports Coach: Stuart Kennedy (Grayshott Cricket Club)

Young Volunteer: James Cudbertson (Grayshott Football Club)

Sporting Impact in schools: Pauline Fitter (Camelsdale Primary School)

Disabled Award: Joseph Hutchinson (Swallows Trampoline Club)

Sport initiative: Tony Richards

(Haslemere Hockey Club)

Special services: Dave Bateman and Paul Fleming (Border Athletic Club);

Sports Club: Swallows Trampoline Club

Junior Sports Personality: Helena John (Haslemere Hockey Club)

Sports Personality: Heidi Wells

(Haslemere Hockey Club)

Among the worthy winners was Joseph Hutchinson, who really lapped up his moment of fame on the stage and Haslemere Hockey Club’s Heidi Wells who recently won a silver medal for England Masters.

Also making the grade was Pauline Fitter, who although in her late 70s has introduced her very popular early morning running club to Camesldale Primary School.

But the biggest cheers of the night went to Swallows Trampoline Club, who received a rousing reception their massed ranks of supporters on the night after winning two awards on the night.

Mr Lawrence thanked the 17 sponsors who supported the event and made the evening possible, especially St Edmunds School who were the title sponsor.

He also thanked Tony Bishop, Chris Grimes, James Winkley, Cornberry Marketing and Adrian Blyth for “making the evening happen so professionally.”

The second part of the evening was devoted to the Create a Star Awards.

Hosted by Haslemere Sports Association chairman Chris Grimes, who announced the nine young athletes would this year be awarded bursaries of £500 each to help them continue to achieve their undoubted potential as future international athletes.

Mr Grimes told the audience the board had agreed to underwrite the cost of the scheme for a further two years making a guaranteed commitment for a total of 10 years – while investing almost £50,000 over that period to support young athletes.

He also announced the board had agreed to name one of the awards after the late Eric Thomson, one of the founder members of the association, who died last October.

Each of the award winners were announced in turn setting out their achievements over the last 12 months.

After receiving their bursary they took part in a short discussion with Mr Grimes explaining to the audience their particular achievements and their ambitions for the future.

The nine bursary award winners were:

Ross Thompson, 17, dinghy sailor representing GB at the World Youth Sailing Games

Rebecca Swift ,15, sprint and marathon Kayak champion

Johnny Thompson, 15, dinghy sailor representing GB at under 17 level

Cerys McIntosh,15, trampoline gymnast who took part in the Sport England advert entitled ‘This Girl Can.’

Also receiving bursaries were:

Luke van Oudtshoorn,15, runner and triathlon specialist who has just completed two victories at Portsmouth and Brighton against an all age field of competitors;

Jake Thompson,13, junior sailor taking the gold medal at the World Championships in Brittany earlier this year

Jodie Burrage,18, tennis player ranked number two in Great Britain at U18 level;

Alistair Wheble,14, wicketkeeper batsman for Grayshott Cricket Club and Hampshire U14s and

George Houghton,19 tennis player currently at Loughborough University and ranked in the top 100 for mens tennis in UK.

Mr Grimes said at the conclusion of the evening: “These nine young athletes all have exciting potential in their chosen sports and we wish them every success in their future sporting activities.”