Leeds Rhinos Foundation volunteer, Steve Boothroyd and Leeds Rhinos Netball team manager were both recognised for their outstanding contribution to sport in the city, with the pair winning the award for Outstanding Volunteer at the annual Leeds Sports Awards.
Alford Gardner, one of only two surviving passengers on the Empire Windrush, was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by Leeds City Council at the ceremony held at Elland Road,
Alford 98, was the founder of the Caribbean Cricket Club in Leeds, the first such club in the country, and a club thriving today with a very diverse membership and extensive community programme.
Eddie Gray MBE was presented with the prestigious Sporting Pride of Leeds Award for his 60 years of service to Leeds United.
Amongst the current sporting heroes from across the city, Beth Potter was awarded the Sportsperson Award, with Hannah Cockroft OBE DL awarded the Disability Sportsperson Award. Both will be representing the city in this Summer’s Olympics and Paralympics
The Leeds Sports Awards organised by Sport Leeds and Leeds City Council, celebrate the 2023 sporting achievements of athletes, of all ages and levels, coaches, administrators and volunteers. Amongst the community winners were The Hunslet Club, Stacey Hubbard for her work at SCOT FC, and the Inspirational Community Champion Rob Wilson. There were three winners in the Outstanding Sports Volunteer Award with Geraldine Plant, Nadine Booker and Steve Boothroyd all awarded for their significant sporting contributions.
Rob Wadsworth Chair of Sport Leeds commented: “It was fantastic to award and recognise the amazing successes and contributions that are made by the clubs, teams and people of Leeds. It was a very special evening that really highlighted the diversity and breadth of the sporting offer in Leeds, from the impact that is being made on the global stage from Olympians and Paralympians to our community champions who are actively improving peoples lives on a daily basis. We were also delighted to celebrate Leeds United legend Eddie Gray and Alford Gardner, who have done so much for the city in their illustrious careers.”
Leeds City Councillor, Salma Arif, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health & Active Lifestyles commented: “Wow what a brilliant evening of showcasing the City’s sporting talent, from our amazing athletes to those in the background giving tireless amounts of time to ensuring members of the community are physically active! Alford Gardner receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the setup of the first Caribbean Cricket Club in Leeds, such a humbling story and a remarkable achievement. Congratulations to all finalists, you really do continue to make Leeds the best city in the UK.”
The full list of Winners are:
Leeds Sports Awards 2024 Winners List
Athletes of the City
Young Sportsperson (sponsored by Breeze)
Winner
Jonas Rushworth
Highly Commended
Hollie Wilson
Kourosh Khodakhah
Young Disability Sportsperson (Sponsored by Breeze)
Winner
Oliver Porter
Highly Commended
Lucas Town
Sportsperson (Sponsored by Yorkshire Sport Foundation)
Winner
Beth Potter
Highly Commended
Lois Toulson
Tom Pidcock MBE
Disability Sportsperson (Sponsored by Yorkshire Sport Foundation)
Winner
Hannah Cockroft OBE DL
Highly Commended
Abbie Robinson Kadeena Cox OBE
Beacons of the City
School Achievement (Sponsored by Zoggs)
Winner
Shakespeare Primary School
Highly Commended
Prince Henry’s Grammar School
The Gorse Academies Trust & Leeds Gorse Volleyball Club
Community Coach (Sponsored by Evans Homes)
Winner
Stacey Hubbard
Highly Commended
Fayme Travis
Mark Bramfitt
Mikey Wallis
Community Club/Team (Sponsored by Evans Homes)
Winner
The Hunslet Club
Highly Commended
Chapel Allerton Runners
Leeds Hyde Park FC
SCOT FC
Student Team/Club (Sponsored by Technogym)
Winner
Leeds Beckett Tennis Club
Highly Commended LUUNC – University of Leeds Netball 1st Team
Student Sportsperson (Sponsored by Technogym)
Winner
Max Burgin
Highly Commended
Bronte Murgett
Champions of the City
Performance Coach (Sponsored by UK Coaching)
Winner
Paul Moseley
Highly Commended
Elaine Brown & Pete Makowski
Jacob Greenhalgh
Performance Club/Team (Sponsored by New Balance)
Winner
Leeds Gymnastics Club CIC
Highly Commended
Leeds Knights
Inspirational Community Champion/s (Sponsored by University of Leeds)
Winner
Rob Wilson
Highly Commended
Matthew Newby
Otley Zebras U14 Rugby Team
Outstanding Sports Volunteer (Sponsored by University of Leeds)
Winners
Geraldine Plant
Nadine Booker
Steve Boothroyd
Sporting Pride of Leeds (sponsored by first direct Arena)
Eddie Gray MBE
Lifetime Acheivement Award (Sponsored by Leeds City Council)
Alford Gardner