THERE was plenty of Worcester success in the 15th year of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Sports Awards at Warriors’ Sixways Stadium.

Great Britain Olympic runner Matt Hudson-Smith, Paralympic swimmer Rebecca Redfern and promising athlete Joel Khan were among those with city links to be recognised for their achievements.

The respected sports personality of the year award, determined by the public following a record-breaking number of votes, went to Sascha Kindred OBE from Herefordshire.

As one of the most successful GB para-swimmers of all time, there was no let-up in 2016 as Kindred became a seven-time Paralympic champion in Rio and set another world record in the 200-metre individual medley.

Organised by the Sports Partnership Herefordshire and Worcestershire, the awards were attended by more than 270 amateur and professional sportspeople, local businesses and dignitaries.

Their guest, Olympic silver medallist Sharron Davies MBE, said: “It was a pleasure to attend.

“These local events are vital to highlight how important sport and physical activity is in every community and to recognise those people who dedicate huge amounts of time and resource to allow people to access sport at all levels.

“I am proud to have been able to hopefully inspire just a handful of them on the evening.”

SENIOR MALE SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR – Matt Hudson-Smith (University of Worcester/GB Athletics)

Hudson-Smith secured automatic selection for the Rio Olympics after overcoming stress fractures to his back in the 2014-15 season.

He had taken gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, silver at the European championships and gold at the British Championships.

The 400-metre runner smashed his personal best to claim a place in the competitive final in Brazil.

FEMALE SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR – Evie Richards

Malvern’s Richards made history at the inaugural Under 23s Union Cycliste Internationale race by becoming the first British senior world champion.

She won her first European elite women’s mountain bike race in Austria.

Richards was fourth in the world under 23 championships in the Czech Republic and became national champion.

JUNIOR MALE SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR – Joel Khan (Worcester Athletic Club)

Khan is an all-round sportsperson but focused his attention on the high jump.

He won gold for Worcestershire at the National School Games and was the under 17s national champion.

Khan was the first member of Worcester Athletic Club to represent Team GB at the European Youth Championships this year.

JUNIOR FEMALE SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR – Rebecca Redfern (Worcester Swimming Club/British Swimming)

Swimmer Redfern made her Paralympic debut in Rio and claimed the silver medal in the 100m breaststroke SB13 category.

In two-and-a-half years, she has excelled from no county qualifying times to being a Paralympic medallist.

She also broke the world record twice in 2016.

DISABLED SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR – Claire Cashmore (British Swimming)

Kidderminster’s Cashmore won gold in the 4x100m medley relay at the Rio Paralympics along with silver in the 100m breaststroke SB8 category.

She also qualified for the final in the 100m butterfly, 200m individual medley and the 4x100m freestyle relay.

At the European Championships, Cashmore took gold in the 100m relay and bronzes in the 100m breaststroke SB8 and 100m butterfly S9.

COMMUNITY COACH OF THE YEAR – Mark Stowe (Worcester Swimming Club)

Along with Stowe’s achievements on the international stage, coaching Rebecca Redfern to her Paralympic silver medal, he has helped Worcester to the regional final of the national swimming league for the second year running.

The level three head coach, with more than 20 years of experience, took nine swimmers to the end-of-season national championships.

Stowe has developed a strong reputation as a technical coach and is part of the regional coaches forum.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – Katinka Ernst (University of Worcester and Disability Sport Worcester)

Ernst volunteers across a range of sports, including karate, rowing and wheelchair basketball, while supporting the Dis Kids programme at the University of Worcester.

She was volunteer of the year at the university awards and donated her £300 prize money to Acorn’s Children’s Hospice.

Ernst volunteers across Worcester, Birmingham and Cheltenham and has given around 500 hours of her time.

COMMUNITY CLUB OF THE YEAR – Worcester Netball Club Worcester, one of the largest member clubs in the West Midlands, achieved the highest level of amateur play nationally, entering the Premier Division.

They will now face the top clubs in England and have encouraged more than 140 women to get involved in the sport with back-to-netball sessions, walking netball and summer camps.

JUNIOR TEAM OF THE YEAR – RGS The Grange Under 11s girls’ hockey team

The Worcester girls became the independent association prep school national champions last season.

They have been In2Hockey Worcestershire and Midlands under 11s champions.

The pupils had a wonderful season, winning 30 matches, drawing one and losing just one.

UNSUNG HERO AWARD – Amanda Smith (Malvern Hills Group Riding for Disabled)

Smith has supported Malvern Hills RDA since its formation more than 30 years ago with great style and passion ensuring her riders achieve beyond their expectations.

She has issued 24 endeavour awards to riders to validate their riding goals within the past 12 months.

Smith has been exemplary in terms of her commitment and attended every lesson over the past 12 months, regardless of weather.

BBC POWER OF SPORT AWARD – Ian Nash (Redditch Boxing Academy)

After a difficult period in his life, Nash has found a passion for sport and is now a full-time volunteer, coach and director at the academy.

He has gained his disability in sports accreditation, level one boxing accreditation, safeguarding and first aid certificates.

Nash is well on his way to becoming a level two gym instructor, level three personal trainer and level two boxing coach.

COMMUNITY PROJECT OF THE YEAR – Core Skate Hereford CIC

The project has grown significantly from once-a-week skating sessions to providing them for all ages and abilities.

Through grants and fundraising, the volunteers have provided new opportunities for people in Hereford to get active.

Participation in roller sports at the Core has increased from around 120-a-month to over 400 a month and numbers are still growing.

YOUNG VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – Jessica Hastings (Herefordshire Badminton Academy)

Currently a level one badminton coach, Hastings has enrolled and will complete her level two qualification this month.

She is enthusiastic about the sport and welcomes new female players to the academy.

Hastings has been responsible for the administration and coordination of all three national tournaments in Herefordshire this year.

SPORTS SCHOOL OF THE YEAR – Tudor Grange Academy Worcester/Madley Primary School

Tudor Grange Academy placed fourth in the Inclusive Zone Basketball National Championships.

They embraced the School Games fully, performing at the opening ceremony of the Worcestershire summer event, and offering 10 young leaders to support the competition.

Tudor Grange also achieved their Silver School Games mark and 71 girls attended their extra-curricular netball.

Madley got the Gold School Games Mark and have expanded the range of extra-curricular sports on offer with 80 per cent of pupils attending at least one club.

Sports-themed visits were also on offer with trips to the Principality Stadium, horse racing stables and BMX events.

Madley formed new links with a local special school, where children helped their pupils.