Havering Sports Council honour borough stars at annual awards

And National T20 cup champions Hornchurch were among the winners, ahead of their trip to Spain for the European Cricket League later this month.

BATS of Ilford again sponsored the ceremony, which began with welcome speeches from captains Annette Cousins and Tony Dance before the junior competitor of the year award - sponsored by West & Coe Funeral Directors - went to Redden Court School pupil Billy Macey.

The amateur boxer celebrated a national title and a place in England's junior squad, having also trained with the Royal Marines team.

Noted as a bright prospect by high-profile trainer Tony Sims, Macey has worked with former professional Kevin Mitchell at the Edge and Matchroom Boxing gyms and won all 10 of his bouts during the year, with six stoppages.

And he pipped Havering AC youngster Stephanie Okoro, the 2021 winner who was nominated once more after setting a host of 400m hurdles records and winning bronze at the European U18 Championships in Jerusalem.

Okoro also won Southern, England Athletics and National School Games Under-17 titles in 300m hurdles gold medals and is hoping to compete in the European U20 Championships in Romania.

The Disability Sports Competitor of the Year category, sponsored by the Beadle Family, saw Kieran O'Hara pip Havering AC clubmate and 2021 winner Rebecca O'Rourke to the prize after a fine year.

O'Hara won the England 1500m title, took silver in the UK Championships and bronze at the Loughborough International while progressing to the UKA Paralympic Futures Academy and competing in mainstream events for his club over 800m and 1500m, and helping them to county success at cross-country.

O'Rourke had won the ambulant 1500m title at the age group and senior championships in 2022, having also competed in youth, Southern and National Leagues for Havering. Both athletes also took six seconds off their 1500m personal bests for good measure.

The Sports Volunteer of the Year award, sponsored by John Mylod, saw Susan Deane edge out fellow Havering AC member Katie Ennis, after a lifetime's association with the club and, before then, the Hornchurch Harriers.

A former competitor herself, she became more involved over 20 years ago when her children became members, qualifying as a coach and team manager and working on the committee since 2010. As a schools liaison officer, she also keeps regular contact with local heads of PE.

Ennis had maintained her strong commitment, having won a year earlier, as a field official, advancing to clerk of the course and field referee roles and volunteering at 24 events, while also competing in 26 meetings.

A runner-up in the England Athletics "Newcomer to Volunteering" award, a Duke of Edinburgh Silver award soon followed for Ennis, who also gave 85 hours of her time as a member of Romford Ice Hockey Club's off-ice team.

Hornchurch Cricket Club were announced as Sports Club of the Year, receiving their award from Spencer Seaton from BATS of Ilford.

And they followed in the footsteps of Hornchurch Football Club, who won the 2021 award following their national FA Trophy success at Wembley Stadium.

After securing eight wins en route to the final, they beat Birmingham outfit Barnt Green by 10 runs at the spectacular Wormsley estate, with 10 of the 14-man squad having come through the club's youth academy.

They will represent England in the European T20 Finals in Malaga this month, hoping to secure a place in the grand final in late March.

Emerson Park Academy's year 10 footballers took the senior school team of the year prize, sponsored by Brentwood M&E Services Limited.

Park had retained Havering and Essex titles and reached the national final, before losing a thrilling clash by the odd goal in nine.

Redden Court's under-14s, meanwhile, had won their first Essex Cup in 51 years after a penalty shoot-out in the final, having also won borough honours.

Gidea Park Primary's year 5/6 netball team edged out Benhurst Primary's year 3/4 Tri Golf team, receiving their award from sponsor Melvin Wallace.

They had won all eight of their games by a convincing margin, while Benhurst had represented Havering with distinction at the London Youth Games.

The evening was held in the presence of His Worshipful the Mayor of Havering Councillor Trevor McKeever, who recounted his long and enjoyable time as an active local tennis player, with diving coach John Whitby acting as MC for a 23rd year.

And it concluded with the Peter Bruce Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by McDonalds Restaurants of Romford, being presented to Dale Sharp.

An active referee approaching his 77th birthday, he had reached 50 years unbroken service in September, having earlier played for the likes of Betterwear Sports Club, Old Libertiansm, Old Romfordians, Brooklands and Romford FC Supporters Club.

A lifelong Romford supporter he ran a club shop with wife Joan at Brooklands, with his first match as a referee between Mountnessing 'A' and Selo Recreation in the now defunct Romford & District League Third Division.

He has refereed 1,647 matches to date and still uses a stopwatch given to him by the late Bruce, when he quit his role as tennis was taking up too much of his time, and officiated at Isthmian and London Spartan League matches and in qualifying rounds of FA competitions at his peak.

An Honorary Treasurer of Hornchurch Referees' Society until it folded and ever-present for 30 years' Committee service at Romford Referees'Society, being both Vice Chairman and Honorary Treasurer, he has also received an Essex Referees' Long and Meritorious Award, 40 Years' Award, Essex Football Long Service Certificate and Long and Valued Service Award.

*Havering Sports Council's AGM is to be held at Hornchurch Cricket Club on February 21, where Mike Brace CBE will be the guest speaker.

Brace is one of our top Paralympic sports administrators in the country, who worked with the London 2012 bid team and served on three committees during those Games.