THE Basingstoke and Deane Sports Awards again proved to be a great success with awards presented to people from across the local sporting spectrum.

The annual evening was a glittering affair hosted by the Apollo Hotel and organised by Basingstoke Voluntary Sports Council with its chairman Kevin Laing taking on master of ceremonies duties once again making it 31 years on the trot on Friday night.

In total 18 awards were shared out on the evening as well as many grant aid cheques for some of the finalists.

After another successful awards evening Kevin said: “Thanks of course go to our new prime sponsor Basingstoke and Deane Community Leisure Trust, Apollo Hotel for their wonderful hospitality, Basingstoke Sports Trust, Basingstoke Deane Rotary, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for their support with the event, grant aid funding totalling £6,500, the programme and assistance at the event.”

The evening was opened by a performance by dancers of the Basingstoke Academy of Dancing. Mark Halliday supplied the music for the event.

Kevin added: “A big thanks must also go to the sporting community for supporting the event and making the evening such a relaxed enjoyable evening to suit all ages and levels of participation attending.

“I wish everybody success this year and look forward to celebrating again in 2021.”

Also during the evening the Sports Trust and and Community Leisure Trust gave out scholarships.

The Sports Trust scholarships went to Sibi Kumara, Kaitlin Lafferty, Jay Fennell, Jitka Hall, Rob Payne, Isla Hignett, Liam Hignett, Alex Bigg, Harry Richardson, Cat Coveney and Cameron Coveney.

Community Leisure Trust scholarships went to Charlie Forster, Scott Campbell, Gemma Bigg, Nathan Lane, Paige Adcock, Milly Raybould, Tracey Hare and Elizabeth Ferioli.