Tue 13th December, 2011
The region’s sporting heroes gathered together at the University of Bedfordshire last week for the BBC East Sports Awards 2011.
Held at the University’s professionally-equipped theatre at its Bedford campus, the full-to-capacity event drew stars including Tim Foster, Gail Emms and Elena Baltacha.
Tim was part of the ‘never to be forgotten’ Coxless Four alongside Redgrave, Pinsent and Cracknell who won gold at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. He was awarded an MBE afterwards. Gail, also an MBE, is a badminton former World Champion and Olympic silver medallist and Elena is the British No 1 tennis player.
Other sporting legends at the event included world champion ironman athlete Chrissie Wellington and Paralympic runner Jonnie Peacock, with a recorded message from England's one-day series captain,cricketer Alastair Cook, who won the Sports Personality of the Year.
Alastair was named man of the series in England’s Ashes winning test team and has scored more than 1000 test runs for his country since last Christmas.
As well as top sporting stars, the region’s unsung heroes were honoured for their achievements at the event hosted by BBC Look East presenter Stewart White. The last two years’ national winners of the award came from the BBC East region so this year’s winner, girls’ football coach Dawn Barnard, is hoping to make it three in a row.
BBC East Sports Awards producer Shaun Peel said: “It was a fantastic evening. The Red Bull Formula 1 racing car was on display and Andrew Baggaley, the British No1 table tennis player, gave an exciting demonstration.
“These awards recognised the amazing efforts of the region’s Olympians and Paralympians, its biggest stars and its Unsung Heroes and we were really pleased to be at the University of Bedfordshire which has such a strong sporting heritage.”
The University’s Director of Sport, Professor John Brewer presented the Coach of the Year award and said: “We’re delighted to work with the BBC to stage these awards at our Bedford campus, where we have an extensive sporting heritage.
“We are one of the largest providers of PE teacher training in the country and we run a number of sport science courses which also include coaching. It is a very exciting time to be involved in sport nationally and at the University too - we are committed to sporting and coaching excellence.”
The University of Bedfordshire's Director of Sport, Professor John Brewer chats to Louise Jukes, a member of the GB Women's Handball team, and Gail Emms MBE, badminton former World Champion and Olympic silver medallist.
Latest news» 2011» December» Top sports stars gather at University’s Bedford campus
