Awards recognise town’s sports stars

Mirfield Sports Council’s 17th annual Sports Awards brought players, families, teachers and coaches together to recognise the town’s most successful teams and individuals.

Awards were presented to three outstanding nominees by sports council member Philip Akroyd and the Mayor of Mirfield, Coun Pat Sutcliffe.

The Mirfield Sports Council Team Trophy for 2010 was awarded to Mirfield Free Grammar under 16 girls’ football team.

Coach Jordanna Proctor and captain Jessica Ellis led the team to victory in the Spen Valley Cup and the West Riding Cup, where they became the first Mirfield team to win the title. The team also made it into the last 32 of the English Schools Cup.

Target shooting champion Jake Healey was presented with the Mirfield Reporter Junior Achievement Award.

Last year, Jake competed in national, European and international contests and won five gold medals, six silver and two bronze. He will represent his country in the World Championships in the USA in July.

The final award of the evening was the Mirfield Town Council Senior Sporting Achievement Award, which went to 19-year-old cricketer Michael Rounding.

A player with Moorlands Cricket Club for eight years, Michael won the 2010 Central Yorkshire League First Division Junior Batting Prize after scoring 668 runs at an average of 35.16 and a highest score of 73.

He also completed his first year as First XI stumper, taking 17 catches and five stumpings.

Last Friday’s awards night is one of the major events in the sports council calendar.

Mirfield Sports Council is the only surviving council of 13 set up in Kirklees in 1993.

It works with schools and clubs to promote sporting competitions and events, helps sports organisations find funding and sponsorship, and shares information on sport in the town.

Its regular events include the sports awards, a junior schools kwik cricket competition, a veteran bowls competitions and junior tennis competitions.

But chairman Martin Hatfield said more volunteers were needed if its work was to continue.

To find out more about volunteering with the sports council, phone Mr Hatfield on 01924 496590.