THE city’s top athletes were honoured at the Freedom Leisure Worcester Sport Awards 2016.

Sixteen categories were hotly contested by Worcester’s prolific sporting talent with winners announced and presented with accolades by Olympian, world champion and top television athletics commentator Steve Cram.

The event, held in partnership with Sport Worcester and supported by Worcester City Council, was staged at the University of Worcester Arena.

Winners of each category go on to the county heats with the ultimate goal of reaching the national awards in December.

Senior Male of the Year – Matthew Hudson-Smith

University of Worcester student Hudson-Smith has won Commonwealth Games relay gold and European Championships silver after overcoming a difficult 2014-2015 season recovering from stress fractures to the back.

The Birchfield Harriers member made the 400-metres final at the Olympics Games in Rio after winning the British Championships this year.

Senior Female of the Year – Rachel Lund

Worcester Valkyries wing Lund made the final three for the Women’s Premiership player of the year as well as being selected for the national elite playing squad in XV and sevens rugby.

She is a committed member of the sports scholarship programme at the University of Worcester.

Junior Male of the Year – Joel Khan

Worcester Athletic Club’s Khan won under 17s national high jump gold and competed at the European Youth Championships.

He is the one to beat in the UK with a jump of 2.10 metres.

Junior Female of the Year – Cerys Preston

Preston plays for Worcester Hockey Club and performance centres for Worcestershire and the Midlands.

She was selected for Wales in the Under 18 European Championships at the age of 15 and has previously won a European silver medal with the under 16s.

Club of the Year – Worcester Swimming Club

Worcester had the best year in their history with nine swimmers qualifying for the national championships and the club were joint third in the National Arena League regional final.

Four went to the British Championships and all made it to the finals with one medal achieved, while they also boast Paralympic silver medallist Rebecca Redfern.

Coach of the Year – Mark Stowe

With over 20 years’ experience, dedicated Stowe has coached Paralympic silver medallist Rebecca Redfern.

He also took Worcester Swimming Club to the regional final of the National League for the second year in a row and helped competitors to various national championships.

Disability Sports Person of the Year – Harrison Keasey

Upbeat Keasey has been at Worcester Rowing Club for just over 12 months, is the national champion for visually impaired air rifle shooting and achieved his silver level in sailing.

He has participated at Worcester Judo Club and Black Pears Joggers while winning several gold medals at the National Blind Schools Swimming Gala.

Junior Team of the Year – Nunnery Wood Colts-Raptors

Nunnery Wood Colts Raptors are a fairly new boys’ team made up of youngsters who have been attending the development centre since they were four or five years old.

They won their first four friendlies and in their first tournament won the respect trophy as the team-mates have formed a close bond with each other.

Howard Peters Award for Outstanding Contribution – David Walker

Walker has been with Worcester Athletic Club for 60 years and is described by one of his athletes as “one of the most influential people in their life”.

He is praised for showing exceptional patience with incredible knowledge, knowing when to take control but also when to take a step back and let his athletes make their own decisions.

Community Sports Award – Black Pear Joggers

Joggers have achieved many successes this year, including their ClubMark attainment and a five-week outreach programme setting up a running club for visually impaired students from New College Worcester.

Contribution to Physical Activity – Roger Prout

Volunteer Prout oversees the Worcester University of the Third Age (U3A) to help them become a driving force in arranging sport and activities for over 60s in Worcester.

They have encouraged the University of Worcester to establish a year-round inclusive programme coordinated by U3A volunteers in support of more than 1,000 members.

Volunteer of the Year – Katinka Ernst

Ernst has completed around 350 hours of volunteering during her role at Disability Sport Worcester, making a big difference to the lives of a large number of participants.

She also volunteers as a lead on the Dis Kids programme at the University of Worcester while coaching basketball, karate and rowing voluntarily.

Young Volunteer of the Year – Sam Small

Small represents Nunnery Wood High School and his former primary school in rugby and also plays for Worcester under 15s.

He gives up many hours of his own time to coach Red Hill’s year five and six tag rugby team, who made the quarter-finals of the West Mercia Police tournament.

Most Improved School – St Georges C of E Primary School

St Georges have won four of their qualifying competitions and represented Droitwich and Worcester City in the summer school games at orienteering, boccia, mini-tennis, archery and cross-country.

They are the only school in the district to run a Change 4 Life club for the whole academic year, supporting children disengaged with exercise and at risk from being overweight.

Higher Education/Further Education Sports Award – University of Worcester Netball First Team

The University of Worcester’s first team have completed a near-perfect season with 15 wins and only one loss.

They won BUCS Division 1A, the National Trophy and the Premier play-off finals.

Best Educational Sporting Achievement – RGS The Grange U11’s Girls Hockey Team

The dedicated girls are the Independent Association Prep School national champions and England Hockey Worcestershire and Midlands champions.

The team have only lost one game all season, winning 28 out of 30 and scoring 147 goals.