Thanet Swim Club is currently the most competitive and successful swimming club in Thanet, finishing in the top three in Kent this year, with over 200 members ranging from 6 to 21 years of age; able and non able bodied athletes. This year the club has successfully been accredited Swim21 status and the British Aqua Mark that both show the high quality management of the club. They cater for recreational swimmers and talented performers showing they are a fully inclusive club for the community.

Coach of the Year

Sponsored by DJ Ellis Ltd

Neil Leach is head coach at Isle of Thanet Boxing Club. Neil

established the club 2 years ago to provide opportunities for boys in the

district. This year Neil has had a number of successes with boxers from the club winning at county and regional level and has also been appointed as the Kent coach. His kind and considerate coaching manner means the young people keep on returning!

Disabled Sportsperson of the Year

Sponsored by Pfizer Ltd

Thomas Rust is registered blind and competes for Thanet Swim

Club. He competed in the National championships this year swimming in

three events having previously won them all at the Southern Region event in Guilford. He trains 6 days a week and often competes in able bodied events to push for improvements. Having made the GB paralympic squad in 2008 but unable to finance the costs, his aim is to get back in and qualify for London 2012.

Individual Sporting Achievement

Sponsored by Skip2BFit

Paul Ayers is a keen sportsman participating in a range of activities

including rugby, athletics and fencing. Having overcome some tragic family losses at an early age, sport has offered an outlet for him and has helped focus his efforts on school work as well. A worthy winner of this award Paul is a great example to other young people in the district.

Long Service

Sponsored by Orbit South Housing

John Websper was the leading figure behind the creation of the

Thanet Indoor Cricket League in 1976. He was instrumental in securing

the indoor cricket facility at the Marlowe Academy (then named

Conyngham School). The league (and sport of cricket in general) has

flourished and John has been ever present. He is still involved at committee level and exhibits a biblical knowledge of the game and its 11,255 matches and is able to distinguish between the 200+ Smiths that have played!

Sportsman of the Year

Sponsored by Thanet District Council

James Goodbun has been playing croquet at Ramsgate Croquet

Club since the age of 8 years. In his specialist discipline of golf croquet,

James has won all of the club competitions and is now competing at national level. To top off a great year James was invited to represent the UK in an international U21 tournament in Cairo, Egypt. He finished 5th in the tournament beating a host of higher ranked players along the way and only losing to the eventual winner. He has shown single-minded dedication to the sport and takes new challenges in his stride.

Sportswoman of the Year

Sponsored by Thanet District Council

Kara Gibbs started 2009 by winning the pole vault at the Kent

Indoor championships. Outdoors, she went on to win silver at the Kent

Athletics Championships and bronze at the South of England

Championships beating her personal best in the process. She is ranked 17th in the UK for her age group. Kara is unassuming about her success and is a great role model to young girls highlighting that if they put their heart to something, anything is possible.

Team of the Year

Sponsored by Kent Messenger

Ian Sharpe and Victoria Lawrence compete as a pair in Dance

Sport, a form of competitive Ballroom and Latin dancing. They have

successfully increased their international ranking over the past year (ranked in the top 10 in England for both Ballroom and Latin) and compete regularly in national competitions as well as representing England in world ranking competitions.

Unsung Hero

Sponsored by Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT

to a request for more things to do for the young people in Cliffsend.

Running one team is hard enough but Maureen works behind the scenes to support all 20 teams at the club. From calling referees to finding kit sponsors and making grant applications, Maureen takes it all in her stride. This has culminated in the greatest success of achieving funding and permission to build a brand new clubhouse.

Young Sportsperson of the Year

Sponsored by Thanet Leisureforce

Charlotte Davies swims for Thanet Swim Club and has had a

hugely successful year. She is Kent champion in two events and was selected to swim in the Kent team competing in an international competition and gained a silver medal. She has gained five national qualifying times and is also on the Beacon programme training at the Olympic sized pool in Crystal Palace.

Young Team of the Year

Sponsored by Kent County Council

Hugin Vikings FC U15 Girls are the only girls team from Thanet

playing in the Kent Girls and Ladies football league and in the top division.

This year they did the double, winning league and cup. The team ethic and commitment is fantastic with many girls choosing to stay loyal to the club by turning down offers for professional clubs. Opponents often comment on the well mannered girls and fair play is shown through no red or yellow cards throughout the entire season.