James Simpson MBE the coach of Leeds Rhinos Wheelchair Rugby League and previous Rhinos and England player, has been awarded the Sporting Pride of Leeds Award at the 22ND Leeds Sports Awards ceremony.
The award is presented to an individual, club or organisation that has raised the profile of the city as a centre of sporting excellence. James, a World Cup winner in 2022, follows some illustrious previous recipients including the Brownlee Brothers MBE’s, Josh Warrington and Rob Burrow CBE.
Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Gary Hetherington, the Leeds Rhinos CEO, and who has recently announced he is leaving the Rhinos, and a posthumous award to former Rhinos scout Bob Pickles who discovered some of the best players to play for the club.
Also receiving a Special Contribution Award was Joan Young who has done so much to support netball across the city.
The unsung heroes, the sports volunteers, were celebrated with Fiona Croft and Becky Simmonds as winners for their voluntary fundraising work for City of Leeds Diving, and Dr Ian Richards who has volunteered for over 35 years locally, nationally and internationally, supporting athletics, and in particular race walking.
The Community Club winner was Crossgates Harriers with a highly commended to Methley Athletic AFC, both clubs doing so much to support sport in their communities.
Leeds City Councillor Salma Arif, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Active Lifestyles and Culture commented
One of the highlights of the sporting calendar. It’s a pleasure to celebrate the achievements of the sporting community from across the city, from Leeds United and Olympians and Paralympians to the community heroes, all celebrated on the same stage.
The awards organised by Sport Leeds and Leeds City Council were held for the first time at the Carriageworks Theatre.
The full list of award winners are:
Athletes of the City
Young Sportsperson (sponsored by Technogym)
Winner
Yaried Alem
Highly Commended
Matilda Potter
Amy Wright
Young Disability Sportsperson (Sponsored by Technogym)
Winner
Oliver Porter
Highly Commended
Lucas Town
Sportsperson (Sponsored by Technogym)
Winner
Tom Pidcock OBE
Katy Marchant MBE
Georgie Brayshaw MBE
Disability Sportsperson (Sponsored by Technogym)
Winner
Hannah Cockroft CBE DL
Kadeena Cox OBE
Beacons of the City
School Achievement (Sponsored by YPO Sports)
Winner
St Theresa’s Catholic Primary School
Highly Commended
Dave Curtis
Community Coach (Sponsored by Evans Homes)
Winner
Charlotte Williams
Highly Commended
Elaine Brown & Pete Makowski
Community Club (Sponsored by Evans Homes)
Winner
Crossgate Harriers
Highly Commended
Methley United AFC
Student Sport Champion (Sponsored by Leeds Trintiy University)
Winner
Max Burgin
Highly Commended
Luke Whitehouse
Outstanding Sports Volunteer (Sponsored by Rosterfly)
Winner
Dr Ian Richards
Fiona Croft and Becky Simmonds
Champions of the City
Inspirational Community Champion (Sponsored by University of Leeds)
Winner
Come Outside – Jovanni Sterling and Rob Lattibeaudiere
Highly Commended
Anthony Hall
Performance Coach (Sponsored by Yorkshire Sport Foundation)
Winner
Dave Murray
Highly Commended
Adam Smallwood
Rhys Davey
Paul Moseley
Performance Club (Sponsored by Weetwood Hall Hotel)
Winner
City of Leeds Diving Club
Highly Commended
Leeds Gymnastics Club
Sustainability Champion (Sponsored by Zoggs)Winner
K.E.E.P
Highly Commended
Yorkshire Cricket Foundation
Sporting Pride of Leeds (sponsored by First Direct Bank Arena)
Winner
James Simpson MBE
Lifetime Achievement Award (Sponsored by Leeds City Council)
Winner
Gary Hetherington
Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award (Sponsored by Leeds City Council)
Winner
Bob Pickles
Special Contribution (Sponsored by Leeds City Council)
Winner
Joan Young