Sporting prowess was celebrated this evening (Friday) at the 14th Comet Sports Awards.

The ceremony, held at the Icknield Centre in Letchworth, brought together competitors, coaches, teachers and administrators to be congratulated for their achievements in north Herts.

Karate demonstrations, comedy sketches and a sport stacking masterclass entertained the sold-out audience, as of course did the winners who were all quizzed about their sporting loves by the evening’s host, Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft.

See this week’s Comet for a report and more photos from the awards.

The Comet sports Awards 2015/16 nominees and winners were:

Coach of the Year

Nominees: Fay Allen, Karen Dodsworth, Nick Winwood

Winner: Mark Russell

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Youth Achievement Girls

Nominees: Rachel Tremlett, Leona Lee, Lauren Higham

Winner: Sofia Carpenter

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Youth Achievement Boys

Nominees: Preston Matthews, George Marvel, Daniel Martin

Winner: Will Markew

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Youth Team of the Year

Nominees: Stevenage Rugby Club U14s, Hitchin Belles U11s, Bedwell Rangers U12 Meerkats

Winner: Greneway School Year 6 Football Team

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Team of the Year

Nominees: North Herts Road Runners, Hitchin and Stevenage Tae Kwon-Do School (HSTS), Blueharts Hockey Club 3rd XI Team

Winner: Letchworth Garden City RUFC Braveherts

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Veteran Achievement

Nominees: John Mayor, Nick Winwood, Andrew Leach

Winner: Dean Carpenter

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School of the Year

Nominees: Bedwell School, Almond Hill Junior School, Breachwood Green JMI School

Winner: Our Lady RC Primary School

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Club of the Year

Nominees: Hitchin Swimming Club, Stevenage Striders, North Herts Road Runners

Winner: Hitchin Rugby Club

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The Paul Pearce Disability Award

Nominees: James Acraman, Letchworth Garden City RUFC Braveherts, Amy Wareing

Winner: Jack Gladman

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Sports Personality

Nominees: April Drackford, Saito Gon, Stacey Parker

Winner: James Acraman

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Sports Photograph of the Year

Nominees: Keith Perry, Norma Harris, Helen Harbon, Alan Sleater

Winner: Steve Lucas

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Service to Sport

Nominees: Richard Harbon, Richard Thom, Sheila Leach

Winner: Nick Winwood

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