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People First Awards Night
“PEOPLE FIRST” SPORTS AWARDS 2008
Winners of the 2007 ‘People First’ Sports Awards were announced by Strabane District Council at the Alley Arts Centre last week. The awards are recognition of the efforts of the sporting community within the district. This is the fifth time that the Council and Strabane Sports Forum have held this event. The high profile awards ceremony was supported by Strabane Credit Union and attended by the Permanent Secretary of The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, local MLA’s and Councillors and the President of Irish Credit Unions. This annual event has become a landmark on the sporting calendar for local clubs, managers, coaches and school teams with some 10 categories of achievement acknowledged.
The awards ceremony aims to recognise the contribution made by individuals who have worked tirelessly to improve their skills and performances, achieving excellence in their respective sports. In doing so these sportsmen and sports women have brought tremendous pride to the people in the district over the last twelve months.
As well as highlighting the tremendous achievements gained by local athletes, the awards also recognise those individuals who give unstintingly of their time and energy to work for the good of others with no thought of public recognition. This includes team coaches, officials, first aiders and committee members all of whom contribute to the smooth running of local
Clubs.
Gerard Foley, Chairman of Strabane District Council stated,
“All the award categories were very competitive, and it was obvious from the number of nominations received that a vast number of people achieved excellence in their respective sports throughout the last year.’
Guest Speaker on the night Paul Sweeney, Permanent Secretary, Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure added,
"We are all aware of the positive influence sport has on our society, in providing a positive outlet for our youth, and giving them an aim, an objective, a sense of achievement and self worth. How vital it is therefore that we have events such as this awards ceremony, to recognise success and to give some encouragement to our local sports people’.
"One of the important issues in the development of the Department’s Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation is improving the link between Sport and the Community, and these awards demonstrate that Strabane is a shining example of good practice in that area."
Local cricketer Boyd Rankin lifted the Sports Star of the Year award having achieved huge success for Ireland in 2007 during the cricket world cup, whilst Jimmy Haughey a former Irish Football Association referee was the first to be inducted into the new Hall of Fame.
Chairman of Strabane Sport Forum, Bill McIntyre commented,
“Strabane appears to have had an exceptional year in terms of sporting achievements. The area is very fortunate to have so many talented sports performers and their example would serve to encourage more youth to get involved in sport. . The success of the event is expected to grow over the forthcoming year with another record year of sporting excellence predicted.’
The Councils Chief Executive singled out for praise the events main sponsors, Strabane Credit Union and also added his thanks and congratulations to Strabane Sports Forum who assisted with the events organisation.
