BARROW Raiders hosted the annual South Cumbria awards in the Marquee in recognition of services to sport over several decades.
The event was held alongside the Barrow and District Amateur Rugby League’s annual award presentations.
Guest of the evening was Gareth Hewr, from Whitehaven, a former Super League referee.
Special Awards went to former Barrow Raiders and Barrow Amateur league’s chairman Peter Hornby along with Steve Taylor, former treasurer of the Barrow league.
Family duo John and Barbara Knagg were rewarded for more than 50 years service to local football and the sports committee.
Pru Kenley was presented with the award for her late husband Josh Kenley, who gave over 60 years service to Ulverston RL and the Barrow league.
And Matt Davies - former Sports Editor of the Mail – also picked up one of the Special Awards.
In the Services to Sport category there was recognition for the following: Karen Heighton - secretary at Barrow Raiders for more than 25 years, Karen also organises travel to away games and match day appointments.
Barry Lowden - for his achievements in crown green bowling where he has won over 200 singles competitions. He was a past master of snooker.
Gary While - Present secretary of Barrow Celtic football club, a former player and a local referee with 653 games under his wing.
Sylvia Kettlewell - former secretary of Walney Central for over 20 years and Secretary of the Year for the North West Counties.
John Allen - a stalwart for over 50 years at Vickers Sports Club (Now BAE) rugby union and cricket, which included a five year spell at Furness Cricket club.
Owen Richards – a lifelong player and coach at Dalton Rugby League Club to which he had many roles on the ground staff.
Peter and Mike McParland - brothers who played football at Barrow Celtic, Vickers Sports Club and Holker Old Boys. Both joined the Committee at Celtic taking on several roles in and around the ground.
Mike Hall – a fourth dan black belt in karate, and a senior instructor with the Federation of Shotokan Karate based in Nottingham.
Shaun Hanna – for more than 45 years associated with Millom FC. Eight years ago the pitch was named Hanna Field for his time at the club. In 2006 Shaun won the England FA Award for the Institute Groundsman pitch maintenance.
Steve Reynolds - Vickerstown Cricket Club’s treasurer for over 44 years, and a top administrator.
Graham Hartley – a stalwart of Bootle FC and Millom Juniors, and instrumental for applying for funding for major refurbishing at Bootle FC.
Paul Bowness – connected Roose and Roose Pioneers for more than 40 years as a player, coach and chairman, who also took up refereeing.
Derek Hadley -a Rugby League legend, who played for over 20 years for Barrow appearing in 333 games. He also played for Walney Central, Ulverston and Great Britain amateurs, and also took up refereeing.
Amateur League Life Members - Shaun McPoland (Roose Pioneers), Dave Storey (Ulverston), Russ Walker (Askam), Kevin O’Brien (Dalton), Gary Kelly (Millom).
Referee of the year was Dave Clark, with Most Improved Matt Bolton, and Young Referee Sam Powell. The Merit Award went to Robbie Nevison.
Barrow Leagues Player’s of the Year - Marc Coward Award – went to Cabe Heavyside (Millom).
Youth International trio, Josh Blinkhorn (Millom) Tom Farren (Roose Pioneers) Dan Knott (Dalton) were also recognised.
The Rob Livesey Trophy went to Ollie Holmes (Barrow Island), with the Phil Kyte Trophy Youth – won by Mark Bowness (Roose Pioneers), and the Phil Kyte Open Age went to Andrew James (Millom).
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