The 11th Annual Sports Awards took place once again in the Theatre at The Mill and was attended by over 300 guests. Local personality Jim Neilly compered the ceremony which showcased the sporting talent and contributors in the Borough.

Watch a short video of the Sports Awards

The award winners were as follows:

Services to Sport                                  

 Jim Shaw for a lifetime service to football

Junior Team of the Year                         

St. Enda’s GAC under 14s footballers for their magnificent season culminating in all Ireland triumph

Club of the Year                                   

Templepatrick Cricket Club for an outstanding season

Coach of the Year                                 

Andy McCrea for an outstanding contribution to Newtownabbey and Irish cricket

Junior Sports Person of the Year             

Sophie McCoo for an outstanding year competing on a world level

Sports Person of the Year With a Disability

Carole Catling for gold success in the special Olympics world games in Athens

Adult Sportsperson of the Year                

Paul Stirling for a “not out!” season with Ireland

Janet Parkinson Memorial Award             

Tommy McCollam for a lifetime playing, coaching and promoting local badminton

Hall of Fame Inductee                          

Rugby Legend Denis McBride for services to rugby

Coaches from St. Enda’s GAC under 14s footballers collect the Junior Team of the Year Award.


Adult Sportsperson of the Year award went to Paul Stirling, collected on his behalf by his father.

The night again was a great success and showcased the undoubted sporting talent in the Borough.  The crowd which swelled to over 300 for the awards ceremony witnessed some fantastic performances by both winner and nominees and proved the fact that Newtownabbey sport is definitely on the up!

Sports Development Officer, Dean Holmes said :

“ it was a fantastic night all round with so many worthy winners and nominees and we’re all looking forward to seeing what 2012 will bring!” “special mention to Jim Neilly, Theatre at The Mill staff, Mount Charles catering, 3^rd Source Media, Potato Bred and Neil Whiteside who all worked tirelessly to make it such a good night!”

Applications for the 2012 sports awards will open in Autumn 2012.