LOYAL Salisbury sportspeople picked up winning accolades at the fifth Wiltshire Sports Awards.

Athletes, sports clubs, volunteers and coaches across the county were recognised for their sporting achievements at County Hall, Trowbridge.

At the event, hosted by former England rugby captain Phil de Glanville, Lee Ness scooped Voluntary Coach of the Year, Jimmy Deane and Shaun Green were co-winners of the Professional Coach of the Year and cheerleader Elly Humphries was revealed as Young Coach of the Year.

Ness, a UK athletics level 3 coach, has been a head sprint coach at City of Salisbury for five years, during which the team has grown to 40 sprinters and 12 hurdlers. He was nominated by his clubmates in recognition of the coaching revolution he has introduced at the Salisbury club.

A humble Ness was touched by the recognition, who received his award from heptathlete champion Kelly Sotherton, saying: “I’ve had huge support from many clubmates and recognition like this is a tribute to them all just as much as it is to me.”

“With many developments at the club now in place to bring the best out of our talented young athletes, we’ve already seen some outstanding results in track and field.

We’re looking forward to even better things when the new season starts next year.”

In the other coach award (professional), Deane, head coach for StreetGames Doorstep Sports Club, was spotted for reaching out to youngsters from Friary Estate in Salisbury. He delivers weekly sessions in a variety of sports alongside coaching touch rugby.

Sharing the award is triathlon coach and Durrington swimming pool teacher Green, who has 26 years experience under his belt. On average, Green teaches 80 children four hours per week, something he has done for the past three years.

The inspiring coach has set up and led triathlon training camps for children across the county.

Rookie Humphries was recognised for her work as assistant coach of Phoenix Stars Cheerleading Club in Salisbury. Elly took teams to compete at an international competition last year as well regional and national events this year.

At Wednesday night’s awards, Wiltshire Council Leader Jane Scott said: “It was lovely to meet so many people who are involved in sport at this special ceremony.

It showcases the exceptional talent and hard work of athletes and the dedication of sports clubs, volunteers and coaches.”

Along with the 12 awards handed out, there were ten Funding Future Olympians and Paralympians Sports Scholarship grants of £500.

They were presented to talented young sports stars aged between eight and 16- years-old who compete in their sport at a regional or national level.

Among those banking the money from the city were water polo star Katy Cutler, 13, athletics starlet Lucy- Jane Matthews, who is 12- years-old, and Tisbury teenage sailor Hamish Munro.

Some of this year’s winners will be put forward to the BBC Sports Personality’s Unsung Hero and the Sports Coach UK awards.