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Associated Press
6 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Business Awards UK: 2025 Sports and Leisure Awards Honour Performance, Participation and Progress
DONCASTER, UNITED KINGDOM, August 18, 2025 / / -- Business Awards UK proudly announces the winners and finalists of the 2025 Sports and Leisure Awards, celebrating organisations and individuals who are setting new benchmarks in inclusion, sustainability, and innovation across the UK. From building one of the most energy-efficient leisure facilities in the world, to enabling millions of community visits through school-based access programmes, to advancing safety standards in grassroots sport through technology, this year's award recipients exemplify what is possible when purpose-led leadership meets practical impact. Business Awards UK 2025 Sports and Leisure Awards Winners - Peak District Guided Horse Rides – Best Outdoor Leisure Experience - School Space – Community Impact Award - Spelthorne Borough Council – Sports and Leisure Facility of the Year - The Collective Aerial Arts and Fitness – Fitness Instructor of the Year - North Devon Wake Park – Leisure Attraction of the Year - Centre Stage Theatre Academy – Best Dance Studio - ProScore Academy – Sports Coach of the Year - George Gore Sports Therapy Ltd. – Best Sports Physio - Union Karate Do – Best Martial Arts Club - BMABA CIC – Best Use of Technology - HEK Fitness Limited – Gym of the Year Business Awards UK 2025 Sports and Leisure Awards Finalists - North Devon Wake Park – Best Outdoor Leisure Experience - Super Sports Camps Ltd – Sports Coach of the Year - Dolphin Square – Community Impact Award, Sports and Leisure Facility of the Year - Highstone Dance Academy – Best Dance Studio - BlueBird Golf Centre Ltd – Leisure Attraction of the Year - ADC Fitness – Fitness Instructor of the Year - The 200 Strong – Gym of the Year - Jamie Lloyd Limited – Best Sports Physio - Pure Energy Music – Best Use of Technology - Al Qawi Self Defence – Best Martial Arts Club Advancing Health, Access and Innovation The 2025 Sports and Leisure Awards celebrate a sector responding to the evolving needs of individuals and communities with purpose, creativity, and demonstrable impact. This year's winners have introduced innovative approaches such as carbon-reducing facility design, community access models reaching millions annually, and technology-led solutions that enhance safety and governance across grassroots sports. Entrants showcased a growing commitment to long-term wellbeing, accessibility, and social inclusion. From expanding participation in underrepresented groups to improving educational and developmental outcomes through sport, the initiatives recognised this year reflect a deeper integration of health, sustainability, and community benefit into everyday operations. Business Awards UK congratulates all winners and finalists for their role in strengthening the UK's sport and leisure landscape through meaningful, future-focused work. Dan Marsh Business Awards UK +44 1302 985118 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Facebook YouTube Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
50 not out – half-century milestone for Darlington sports awards
Looking back on an important anniversary for the Darlington Sports Winners Awards – and what a night it was! PETER BARRON hosted the event HALF a century is a splendid innings on anyone's scoresheet – and such a special milestone deserved a special stage. Advertisement It is, therefore, a pleasure to report that the 50th anniversary of the Darlington Sports Winners Awards Grand Final, held at Darlington Hippodrome, was a spectacular success. The magnificent old theatre was rammed from stalls to circle as the stars of grass roots sport in the Darlington area – from children to a 90-year-old top of the bill – were celebrated. But let's start with those who didn't seek any awards – the organisers who have given their time to keep the awards going for so long. Take a bow Brian Dobinson, Paul Foreman, Paul Bielby, Liz Blaylock, Ali Raw, Mark Dobinson, and Tom Nutt – you have played a blinder. Advertisement Brian Dobinson, who is stepping down from the committee after more than 30 years, deserves special thanks. He said: 'I have been involved with the Darlington Sports Winners Scheme for many, many years and I can honestly say that this year's Grand Final was simply an amazing experience and was the best final we have ever hosted.' Highlights included Ian Barnes – veteran athlete and founder of the Darlington parkrun – receiving a standing ovation at the end of the night. Ian Barnes with Paralympian Lyndon Longhorne (Image: Chris Barron) Ian, who was 90 this year, was awarded The Alasdair MacConachie Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sport. Advertisement He holds three British records in the over-85s category for the 1,500 metres, mile, and 3,000 metres, and is now aiming to set new UK bests in the over-90s age bracket. He has served as president and chair of Darlington Harriers, and was instrumental in launching the Darlington parkrun in 2012. Even at the age of 90, no matter the weather, Ian spends his Saturday mornings either running the 5k course or volunteering to enable others to take part. Another popular winner, for a Lifetime of Achievement, was Dave Watson for his service to Darlington Quoits Club – the oldest quoits club in the world, having been founded in 1846. Advertisement Dave has been a member of the club for 55 years, has been president twice, captain three times, and is now treasurer. He coaches young people, as well as members of the newly-formed women's team, and gives talks in school on the history of quoits. The Ron Lewis Trophy, remembering a former Darlington Mayor, was presented to 14-year-old world champion Thai boxer Theo Spinks as the night's "winner of winners". Theo, who had won Secondary Sports Achiever earlier in the ceremony, overcame the odds after being diagnosed with Perthes Disease as a four-year-old, and told her could never take part in contact sports. Advertisement However, he went on to take up Thai boxing, rose up the ranks, and returned from Bangkok last year with the world title. Another moving moment came when Abbie Etherson, 15, who has spina bifida and hydrocephalus, won the Disability Award for becoming a gold medallist at the International Union of Kettlebell Lifting World Championships in Corfu. Due to her success, the international federation has been inspired to look into new ways to give lifters with different disabilities access to the sport. Star guests for the awards included Paralympic swimmer Lyndon Longhorne, and Darlington golfer, Ellie Givens, who is a regular on the European Ladies' Tour. Advertisement Lyndon, who lost both legs and an arm through meningitis as a baby, had members of the audience in tears when he announced: "Go out there and achieve your dreams because anything is possible." He is now in training to become the first quadruple amputee to complete an Ironman Triathlon in under 24 hours. North East athletics legend Steve Cram, who is celebrating 40 years since breaking three world records in 19 days, sent an inspirational message by video. Another message was sent by Darlington-born footballer James Morrison, now first team coach at West Bromwich Albion and the Scotland national team. Advertisement St Teresa's Hospice was also among the winners, with a raffle, plus an auction for signed Sunderland, Middlesbrough, and Darlington shirts, raising £2,000 for the charity. The event was made possible by headline sponsor Woodlands Hospital, supported by Darlington Borough Council, Darlington Rotary, Darlington Hippodrome, West End Marketing, Tom Craddock Football Academy, and Move More Darlington. In between the awards, the packed audience was superbly entertained by Voices of Darlington, Well-Versed Community Choir, Seven Dance Troup, and football juggler Jay Rosa, an expert in what's commonly known as "keepy-uppy". It was a joy for me to host such a memorable community celebration, and congratulations to everyone involved in keeping the ball in the air for half a century. Advertisement ROLL OF HONOUR Primary Sports Achiever: Orlagh Everson. Primary School Team: Mowden Juniors Boys Football Team. Secondary Sports Achiever: Theo Spinks. Secondary School/Further Education Team: Carmel College Under-19s Netball Team. Disability Award: Abbie Etherson. Service to Sport: Sam Ions (Rockliffe Park Cricket Club). Club/Team Award: Darlington Harriers Junior Endurance Team. Lifetime Achievement: Dave Watson (Darlington Quoits Club). Brian Jones Cup for Team of the Year: Darlington Storm Superstars Basketball Team. Ron Lewis Trophy, presented by Darlington Rotary for the winner of winners: Theo Spinks. Mulheim Trophy: Darlington RA Under-15s Football Team. Alasdair MaConachie Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sport: Ian Barnes.
