County stars claim coveted honours

1:41pm Monday 7th April 2008

SPORTSMEN and women from across the county were honoured at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sports Awards, with three athletes from Basingstoke and Deane picking up top gongs.

A total of 12 people from the borough were nominated for the awards, which took place at the Rose Bowl, in Southampton, making Basingstoke and Deane the best-represented area.

Of these, footballer Danielle Bird, masters athlete David Elderfield and young swimming star Lisa Collingridge beat off the competition to claim awards.

Bird picked up the Senior Sportswoman award after being named as a member of the England senior development pool and representing Great Britain at the World Student Games in 2007.

The midfielder, who plays for Birmingham City, is expected to be a member of the England squad for the European Championships later this year. She could not attend the ceremony due to studying commitments in Loughborough.

Elderfield, who lives in Tadley, shared the Veteran Sportsman award with fellow athlete Jonathan Tilt.

The 52-year-old had a fine 2007, winning two golds and a silver at the World Masters Championships in Italy.

Competing in the 50 to 54 years class, his victory in the 400m was his fourth consecutive victory at the world championships.

Speaking to compere and BBC South Today sports presenter Roger Johnson on the stage, Elderfield explained why he continues to compete.

"I'm determined not to grow old gracefully and want to keep chasing records," he said. "However, I must say that when the lactic acid is building up and I'm gasping for breath, darts seems like a better option."

He was clearly delighted to have come out on top, saying that it capped another good year.

"It is very nice to have been given this award," Elderfield said. "It's great to have your achievements acknowledged at something like this."

The other Basingstoke and Deane winner was 15-year-old Lisa Collingridge, who picked up the Junior Disability Sportswoman award.

The teenage swimmer, who lives in Popley and attends Dove House School, won four medals at the national championships for people with learning difficulties last year, including a gold in the 100m individual medley. She also achieved personal bests at county and regional galas.

"I feel happy," she said after collecting her award. "This has come as a big surprise.

"These awards are important to me and I am so pleased. It finishes off a good year."

Basingstoke and Deane had two finalists in the Senior Sportsman category, England rugby international Tom Rees and boxer Dean Francis, while footballer Rebecca Jane and Hook athlete Charlie Purdue were nominated for Junior Sportswoman.

Bowls expert Lewis Jones was a finalist in the Junior Disability Sportsman category, while badminton player Pauline Davis was a Veteran Sportswoman nominee.

Athletics coach Billy Jewers and karate trainer Kevin McAuslan-Crine made the final in Coach of the Year.

Two more people associated with athletics, Ken Littlejohns and Jackie Tobin, were finalists in Official of the Year and Senior Volunteer of the Year respectively.