THE Basingstoke and Deane Sports Awards again proved to be a great success with awards presented to people from across the local sporting spectrum.

The annual evening was a glittering affair hosted by the Apollo Hotel and organised by Basingstoke Voluntary Sports Council with its chairman Kevin Laing taking on master of ceremonies duties for the evening for the 30th year on the trot on Friday night.

There were 19 awards handed out as Kevin was surprised to say the least when presented with the Paul Harris Fellowship by Basingstoke Deane Rotary in honour of what he has put into sport in Basingstoke over the years.

A visibly shocked Kevin said: "I am really honoured by this unexpected award, recognition is never expected but it is really nice when someone says thank you.

"Many people on the night also said thanks for the event and what an inspiration it is so makes everything worthwhile."

Talking about another the evening Kevin said: "Thanks of course go to our new prime sponsor Basingstoke and Deane Community Leisure Trust, Apollo Hotel for their wonderful hospitality, Basingstoke Sports Trust, Basingstoke Deane Rotary, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for their support with the event, grant aid funding totalling £6,500, the programme and assistance at the event.”

The evening was opened by a performance by dancers of the Basingstoke Academy of Dancing.

Mark Halliday supplied the music for the event and the lighting came courtesy of Zeallive.

Kevin added: "A big thanks must also go to the sporting community for supporting the event and making the evening such a relaxed enjoyable evening to suit all ages and levels of participation attending.

“I wish everybody success this year and look forward to celebrating again at the Apollo Hotel in 2020."

In previous years winners from the Basingstoke have been nominated for the Hampshire county awards, but these are not taking place this year.

Roll of honour:

GAZETTE SPORTS PERSONALITY: Nicole Rogers

SENIOR MEN: Caius Joseph

SENIOR LADIES: Liz Ferioli

JUNIOR MEN: Sibi Kumara

JUNIOR LADIES: Hannah Smith

CLUB OF THE YEAR: Basingstoke Gymnastics Club

PROFESSIONAL COACH: Jeremy Spicer

VOLUNTEER COACH : Rafer Joseph

SERVICE TO SPORT: Pete Dimond

JUNIOR TEAM: Su Ha Ri Karate

SENIOR TEAM: Basingstoke Kickboxing Organisation

SENIOR VOLUNTEER: Mark Sadler

JUNIOR VOLUNTEER: Gemma Sadler

SENIOR OFFICIAL: Felicity Edwards

SECONDARY SCHOOL: Bishop Challoner

JUNIOR SCHOOL: St Mary's C of E School

SPECIAL AWARDS: Alexis Hornsby. Lance Kinder

There were 21 sport scholarships announced on the Friday evening presented by the Basingstoke Sports Trust, which runs the Sports Centre, and Basingstoke Community Leisure Trust which operates, among other venues, Basingstoke Aquadrome.

The Sports Trust scholarships went to Isla Hignett, Julia Lebosse, Anaya Patel, Kaitlin Lafferty, Sammy Girle, Gemma Bigg, Cat Coveney, Cameron Coveney, Hayden Corby, Alex Bigg and Liam Hignett

The winners of the Basingstoke Community Leisure Trust scholarships were Holly Curran, Scott Campbell, Sibi Kumara, Lucas Spiers, Hannah Smith, Jennifer Collins, Charlotte Hubbart, Luke Honeybun, Jon Thorp and Tracey Hare.