07 December 2006
BBC Announces the North West's Favourite Sporting Personalities
BBC North West Tonight presenters Gordon Burns and Dianne Oxberry joined an array of sports stars and guests at Manchester's Hilton Hotel to announce the winners of the BBC North West Sports Awards 2006.
The event, now in its eighth year, was devised to recognise sporting achievement and excellence and with the support from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) they have now become one of the highlights of the region's sporting calendar.
Steven Broomhead, NWDA Chief Executive, said: "Sport and sport related industries make an important contribution to the regional economy, employing over 50,000 people and generating £3 billion in annual turnover. The NWDA is extremely pleased to support this dynamic industry by celebrating the best and brightest sporting talent from across the region. As always, the calibre of nominees was extremely high this year, reinforcing the Northwest's reputation as a great sporting region."
Winners in the 16 categories are as follows:
WINNERS - BBC NORTH WEST SPORTS AWARDS 2006
1. Rugby Player 2006
Paul Wellens, St Helens Rugby League Club
Charlie Hodgson, Sale Sharks Rugby Union Club
Sean Long, St Helens Rugby League Club
Presented by Ricky Hatton
2. Footballer 2006
Steven Gerrard, Liverpool Football Club
Tim Cahill, Everton Football Club
Ryan Giggs, Manchester United Football Club
Presented by Peter Reid - Stephen Gerrard filmed for North West Tonight accepting his award. Image available.
3. Newcomer 2006
Tom Smith, Lancashire Cricket Club
Francesca Halsall, swimmer
FC United
Presented by Amir Khan to manager of FC United, Karl Marginson
4. Disabled Sportsperson 2006
Jason Irving
Shelly Woods
David Gale
David is from Southport and is a discus thrower. Presented by rally driver Natalie Barratt from Alderley Edge. http://www.nat-u-rally.co.uk/start1.asp
5. Radio Manchester/The Manchester Evening News Award
Charlie Hodgson, Sale Sharks Rugby Union Club
Presented by MEN Sports Editor, Peter Spencer, and Andy Buckley, Sports Editor BBC Radio Manchester.
6. Radio Lancashire Award
Tom Smith, Lancashire County Cricket Club
Presented by Gary Hickson to Mike Watkinson, Cricket Manager at Lancashire County Cricket Club.
7. Radio Merseyside Award
Beth Tweddle
Presented by Ian Kennedy.
Beth is studying Physiotherapy at John Moores University, Liverpool. Britain"s most successful gymnast.
8. Sport England Young Performer of the Year
Nicola Pugh - trampoline. From Tarporley in Cheshire. Presented by Andy Worthington from Sport England.
9. North West Tonight Award 2006
Accrington Stanley Football Club
Gordon Burns to present the Award live on North West Tonight on Monday - to Manager, John Coleman.
10. Sport England Community Club of the Year
Seneley and Garswood Juniors FC (Wigan). Manager, Tom Nugent presented by Carol Hassan, Sport England
11. Unsung Hero 2006
Graham Bassett, Isle of Man Basketball
Tom Nugent, Seneley and Garswood Juniors FC
Barbara Jones, Clitheroe & District Amateur Swimming Association
Presented by Martin Cole - Tesco Store Director for the NW.
12. Manager/Coach of The Year 2006
Daniel Anderson, St Helens Rugby League Club
Phillipe St Andre, Sale Sharks Rugby Union Club
Amanda Kirby - Beth Tweddle's coach
Ray Stubbs presenting to Paul Sculthorpe of St Helens.
13. Team of the Year 2006
St Helens Rugby League Club
Sale Sharks Rugby Union Club
Accrington Stanley Football Club
Patrick McGuiness (Paddy from Max & Paddy) presenting to Sale"s Coach, Phillipe St Andre.
14. The Judges Award 2006
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United Football Club
Ole not attending but there is a film of him accepting his award. Images available.
15. Hall of Fame 2006
Carl Fogarty
Director General of the BBC, Mark Thompson, presenting the award to the ex-World Superbike Champion.
16. BBC North West Sports Personality 2006
Beth Tweddle
Paul Wellens, St Helens Rugby League Club
Charlie Hodgson, Sale Sharks Rugby Union Club
Presented by the Chief Executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency, Steven Broomhead.
Voting Panel
The panel of judges included:
Don Jones - Programme Producer
Gordon Burns - Presenter NWT
Jodie Fielder - Sports reporter NWT
John Thompson - Sports Editor, Liverpool Echo
Paul Plunkett - Sports Editor, Lancashire Evening Telegraph
Peter Spencer - Sports Editor, Manchester Evening News
Andy Buckley - Sports Editor, BBC Radio Manchester
Gary Hickson - Sports Editor, BBC Radio Lancashire
Ian Kennedy - Sports Editor, BBC Radio Merseyside
Howard Booth - Sports Producer, NWT
Richard Askam - Sports Reporter, NWT
Unsung Hero Award - Sponsored by Tesco and judged by Editor of NWT, Cerys Griffiths and Presenter, Gordon Burns.
Public vote for the BBC North West Sports Personality of the Year Award by people voting on-line to the BBC Where I Live sites in Manchester, Lancashire and Liverpool.