Basketball legend Martin Henlan declared Epsom & Ewell Borough the “mouse that roared” on a night when the great and good of the sporting community recognised the achievements of their neighbours.
Henlan, who runs Epsom Sharks basketball club and has Commonwealth Games gold and silver medals, was the guest of honour at the fourth annual 2014 Epsom & Ewell sports awards on Tuesday night.
Shona Richards, a 400m hurdles silver medallist at July’s IAAF World Junior Championship and fastest U20 400m hurdler of all time, left laden with trophies after being named both young sports personality of the year, and sports personality of the year.
It was not only sporting achievement that was recognised as volunteers and coaches had their moment in the limelight.
At 70 years old, Liz Sissons has spent 59 years associated with Epsom & Ewell Harriers as both an athlete and volunteer – the British champion in her age group won the outstanding services to sports awards.
She said: “I’m honoured to have been given the award for doing something that I love doing.
“I love athletics and I love the club, it has been part of my life ever since I joined aged 11.
“These awards nights are wonderful. We’re so wrapped up in our own sports that you need nights like this to recognised how other sports in the borough are thriving.”
The coach of the year award went to William Cooper for his work with Epsom & Ewell Colts girls’ team.
The Rotary Club outstanding services to sport award went to Liz Sissons for her endless devotion to the athletes at Epsom & Ewell Harriers AC
“It has not sunk in yet, I was just honoured to be among a high calibre of nominees, it’s such an honour,” he said.
"The nominations included my best friend of 15 years, Rob Maslin, so that what a pleasant surprise that was, and I told him it would be nice if one of us can win it.
"I cannot think I won it by that much because the calibre of people was so high.
“But it’s not just about me, it’s about the kids that I coach, they’re the ones that make it enjoyable.”
He added: “These events are really important to recognise the contribution of other people, it’s important for the wider community to come together and appreciate whoever has won an award. I
"t’s a great appreciation of talent and people, and I cannot think of anyone who was nominated or shortlisted who is not a great talent in their own right, and I can think of a few I will be nominating next year.
Coach of the year: William Cooper was nominated after his work with the Epsom and Ewell Colts girls’ football teams - growing the club from one to four teams
"Moreover, there are people here who have given years and years of service, and they have inspired me to go on and achieve better things too, and I hope it is the same for other people.”
Henlan, named coach of the year in 2013, said: “Local recognition is what keeps you thrilled and inspired. It encourages not only the youngsters to get involved with sport, but parents become much more involved.
“And it is amazing to see how the awards have come on. We hear it again and again, we’re the smallest borough in the county and we’re over-achieving. We’re the mouse that roared, and we should be celebrating that.”
Motivator: Ex-professional basketball player and BT Sports NBA television presenter Martin Henlan had words of encouragement and advice for the youngsters in the audience
He added: “I sit very much on the volunteer side of things now, and to see the way the kids are inspired on evenings like this helps me, it spurs me on to do something.
"As a coach, I have sat there listening to what the sports club of the year have achieved, and I know what our club has to do reach that level. This is what Epsom & Ewell borough is all about.”
The Epsom & Ewell FC disability sports award went to Epsom & Ewell Puffins
Double winner: Shona Richards, centre, collected the young sports personality of the year award, and the sports personality of the year award
A few words: Cliff Stevens, the chair of the Epsom & Ewell Sports & Leisure Council, addresses the audience
Rugby mad: Sam Phillips, left, won the Surrey County Playing Fields Association young volunteer award
Team effort: The Epsom Golf Club sports team of the year award went the Epsom Riding for the Disabled Dressage Team
Amazing scenes: Jan Mason, the chair of the Epsom & Ewell Borough Council's Leisure committee, praised the hard work and commitment of the volunteers and council staff over the past 12 months
Voluntary example to others: The award, presented by the Epsom & Ewell Colts FC, went to Andy White for his work with Epsom Hockey and the Epsom Sports Club over the past 20 years
Opening act: The Epsom Youth Jazz Ensemble, conducted by Ben Tompsett, opened the evening with renditions of "Happy" and "Match of the Day"
Last, but not least: The final award went to Epsom District Swimming Club after being named as the Aon Hewitt sports club of the year
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