Gazette sports personality award winner Eric Braff

SPORTING excellence was well and truly in the spotlight as the honours were handed out at the Basingstoke and Deane Sports Awards 2007.

Hundreds of guests turned out for the annual awards, organised by the voluntary Basingstoke and Deane Local Sports Council, and enjoyed a three-course meal, which was provided by the Apollo Hotel as part of its role as the host venue.

A total of 18 trophies - including The Gazette Sports Personality of the Year award, voted for by our readers - were up for grabs.

Ten people also received special scholarship awards from the Basingstoke Sports Trust, and a host of grant cheques were handed out by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Basingstoke Bison defenceman Eric Braff was delighted to win the prestigious Gazette sports personality award.

After receiving the engraved glass trophy from Mark Jones, editor of Gazette Newspapers, which has been a main sponsor of the awards event for more than a decade, 27-year-old Braff said: "This is a real honour and a surprise for me. I did not think for one minute that I would win, when you see all the talent in the room and the number of athletes who have represented their country.

"I must say a huge thank you toall the Bison fans who voted for me. Without their support, I would not have won this special award.

"It is not often in a team sport that an individual is singled out in this way and that makes this honour extra special."

Kevin Laing, the sports council chairman of 18 years, again compered the awards evening, and told the audience that 12 of the Basingstoke and Deane finalists have been selected to go forward to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight awards on April 2, at Hampshire County Cricket Club's Rose Bowl ground.

Mark Jones thanked all the sponsors and supporters of the 2007 event and added that all the winners and finalists should be congratulated on their achievements.

He told the audience: "There is a fantastic strength-in-depth of talent across many sports in Basingstoke and Deane.

"It is something we should all be proud of."

4:04pm Wednesday 12th March 2008

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