Peterborough and Cambridgeshire sporting ‘lockdown hero’ winners announced at awards hosted by Louis Smith

The focus of the event for this year was on ‘lockdown heroes’ who have gone above and beyond, showing compassion, generosity and creativity within the sport and physical activity community.

This year’s awards were held virtually and the event was live-streamed on the Living Sport Facebook page. The judges commended the very high quality of entrants, finalists and winners.

The event was hosted by Peterborough’s former Olympic gymnast and Strictly Come Dancing winner Louis Smith, himself a former Living Sport award winner.

More than 7,000 votes were cast in the public vote and combined with the assessment of the judging panel the winners were selected. They are:

Coach of the Year Award – sponsored by Anglia Ruskin University:

Chloe Smith, Willingham Wolves Football Club

Community Club of the Year (Amateur) Award – sponsored by Lifeplus:

Cottenham United Colts Football Club

Community Volunteer of the Year Award – sponsored by Bidwells:

Edwin Fey, March Bears Rugby Club

Jonnie Peacock Award – sponsored by Azets:

Gemma Stevenson, Wheelchair Tennis and Adaptive Abilities Cheerleading

Matthew Warn Power of Sport Award:

Cambridge United Community Trust

Services to Sport Award:

Ian Darler, Cambridge United Football club

Workplace of the Year Award – sponsored by Everyone Health:

East Anglian Air Ambulance

Young Community Volunteer of the Year Award – sponsored by Nene Park Trust:

Lenni Lewis, Peterborough Rugby Club

As a charity, Living Sport aims to improve the health, happiness and wellbeing of the people of Peterborough and Cambridgeshire by inspiring them to get active.

Chief Executive Simon Fairhall said: “Congratulations to our winners, all those nominated and everyone who worked so hard behind the scenes to ensure sport is enjoyed by so many across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire this year.

“It has been particularly tough for local sport in recent months with lockdown and restrictions in place, but we were determined to still honour our sporting stars, clubs, coaches and lockdown and community heroes.

“I want to thank everyone involved for all their support with these awards as I know it took a lot of work to organise in this new format. Looking ahead to 2021, we hope to see a brighter year for all where we can start to get together in a more social environment and continue to support and celebrate those individuals and organisations going that extra mile to help others get active and healthy.”

Louis added: “It was an honour to be part of the Living Sport Virtual Sports Awards and a real inspiration to learn about the efforts of those across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have given their all to help others in a year like no other. There was a range of excellent finalists and a group of worthy winners.”

The judging panel consisted of former Paralympic Games athlete Dr Dan Gordon, education consultant Carol Gronow; sports journalist and presenter Steve Jackson and Living Sport relationship manager Rebecca Evans.

Each award winner had a special video recorded by a local sporting personality, including from Josh Cobb and Alex Wakely from Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, and Olympic swimmer Lizzie Simmonds.

The headline sponsor for the awards was Central England Co-operative.

To watch the awards again, visit the Living Sport Facebook page.