BRAD Singleton stood head and shoulders above the rest as he claimed the Cumbria Sports Personality of the Year Award.

The Leeds Rhinos prop forward was recognised for a memorable year on the field, as Barrow and South Cumbria dominated proceedings at the Low Wood Hotel Ambleside.

Singleton was taciturn on the night, declining the chance to make an acceptance speech in front of a room packed with some of the county’s best sports stars.

But, having been rewarded for a season in which he helped Leeds to a historic Super League Grand Final, Leaders Shield and Challenge Cup treble – including scoring a try at Wembley as the Rhinos beat Hull KR 50-0 – he later expressed his delight at the recognition.

“It’s a privilege,” he said. “And it was great to see all the other winners as well.

“It’s good that the awards ceremony is there to recognise all the sporting potential in Cumbria, because it is definitely a county which doesn’t get seized upon with the potential we have.

“It was a great night at a good location.”

Singleton was one of eight winners from South Cumbria on the night, with Manchester City and England Under-17s footballer Georgia Stanway the Junior Sports Personality of the Year and North Walney Primary School’s Year 5 and 6 Danone National Small Schools Cup winners also triumphant.

Jeff Simm, of Hawcoat Park, collected the Service to Sport Award, Paul McKenny, of Ulverston Tri Club, won Coach of the Year and Suzanne Boyle, of Walney Windcheetahs, was Volunteer of the Year.

Basketballer Millie Knowles collected a Rising Star prize and Askam’s Jake Brown collected the Disability Performance of the Year Award after starring for England Cerebral Palsy football team.

Singleton, who is expecting his first child with partner Jade Rimmer in March, used the performances from across the area to highlight the need to back sports in the area.

“To have the winners from Barrow, it shows the potential that is there and I think there should be a lot more funding going into the the town,” he added. “There is the football side with Georgia Stanway winning the junior award, there is rugby league and there is a lot of potential.

“It just takes someone to take notice and get some funding and backing.”

As well as the winners from Furness, Great Britain hammer thrower Nick Miller collected the Performance of the Year prize for breaking the national record and the Cumberland County Cricket team took the Team of the Year gong after their Minor Counties Championship triumph.

Guests were entertained by endurance runner and after-dinner speaker Andy Mounsey following the awards.

ROLL OF HONOUR

Junior Personality of the Year: Georgia Stanway (football).

Rising Stars: Joe Connelly (athletics and rugby union); Olivia Mason (athletics); Millie Knowles (basketball); Caitlin Whitehead (golf); Adam Goad (squash).

Junior Team of the Year: North Walney School football.

Team of the Year: Cumberland County Cricket Club.

Disability Performance Of the Year: Jake Brown (football).

Coach Of the Year: Paul McKenny (Ulverston Tri Club).

Volunteer Of the Year: Suzanne Boyle (Walney Windcheetahs).

Young Leader Of the Year: Charlotte Cousins.

Community Group Of the Year: Penrith Golf Club.

Service to Sport: Jeff Simm (Hawcoat Park).

Special Award: Barry Johnson.

Performance Of the Year: Nick Miller (athletics).

Be Inspired Award: Gary Lamb.

Sports Personality Of the Year: Brad Singleton (rugby league).