TWO talented sports stars from Rugby have been recognised at the 11th annual Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Sports Awards.
The major community sports awards were held at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry last Friday and celebrated the cream of the sporting scene across the area including those who have made a tremendous contribution to sport in the professional and amateur fields.
There were two winners from the Rugby area with Robert Towersey being named Sports Apprentice of the Year and this year’s Unsung Hero Award was presented to Terry Wootton.
Towersey was recognized for improving the quality of PE while completing his level two apprenticeship in activity leadership at Cawston Grange Primary School in Scholars Drive.
It has been a successful year for the 20-year-old who also secured an academic scholarship to study geography at Coventry University.
“I’m massively shocked to have received the award – it’s not something I ever expected, particularly because I broke my leg half way through the apprenticeship,” said Towersey.
“But the staff at Cawston Grange were really supportive and I just really looked forward to going to work every day.
“It has really helped to build my confidence because I am naturally very shy and I enjoyed seeing the difference in the children and watching them grow over the year that I was there.
“I’m now studying geography with a view to do a PGCE in primary education after university. I am also looking to go back to Cawston Grange for another placement to observe as a teacher and I was really proud to find out that they were pleased with the work I achieved.”
Unsung hero Wootton was the other worthy Rugby winner having joined Old Laurentian Rugby Football Club in 1941. He has been kit manager at the club for the last 50 years, organising playing shirts, repairing rips and tears and arranging laundering.
A total of 16 award titles were handed out on the night recognising the achievements of both teams and individuals as well as volunteers and upcoming stars of the future.
“The awards are one of the most exciting occasions in our local sporting calendar and once again it was a really competitive field with 44 nominees from a wide-range of sporting backgrounds,” said Tracy Murphy of CSW Sport.
“I would like to congratulate all of the winners on their achievements which underline the fantastic sporting prowess we have in our community.
“The awards not only allow us to celebrate talented athletes, but also the volunteers, unsung heroes and future rising stars who dedicate their time and give so much back to sport.”
The awards are organised by Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Sport (CSW Sport) with support from BBC Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry City Council, Coventry University, Wasps, the Ricoh Arena, Nuneaton and Bedworth Council, the University of Warwick and EnV.
