Sports from wheelchair rugby to fencing, boxing, football and equestrian were all recognised at the Welwyn Hatfield Sports Awards 2016.

The ceremony took place this evening (Tuesday) at the Hawthorne Theatre in Welwyn Garden City.

A total of 16 sports awards were collected (see the winners below) before Olympic and Paralympic value awards were also given out to honour such values as friendship, respect and determination.

Apprenticeship Awards were handed to nine teenagers working with schools in the borough, while performances from dance group Funkyrds and singer Roxy Searle entertained the audience.

GB wheelchair rugby captain Chris Ryan, from Panshanger was a special guest and spoke about his hopes of a medal at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games later in the year.

He also collected the Sports Person of the Year gong.

The Welwyn Hatfield Sports Award 2016 winners were:

Secondary School Teacher of the Year: Stuart Williams of the Welwyn Hatfield Primary Schools’ Partnership

Primary School Teacher of the Year: Jess Tucker Welwyn St Mary’s Primary School

Primary School Team of the Year: Brookmans Park School girls’ football team

Secondary School Team of the Year: The Monk’s Walk School equestrian squad

Primary School Pupil of the Year: Rachel Dew of Welwyn St Mary’s School

Secondary School Pupil of the Year: Paulina Trzcinska of Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Contribution to Disability Sport: Platypus Swimming Club

Volunteer of the Year (U21): Gareth Edge of Sir Frederic Osborn School

Volunteer of the Year (over 21): The Welwyn Garden City FC volunteers

Coach of the Year: Adam Fisher of Welwyn Garden City FC

Team of the Year: Hell’s Belles Roller Girls

Service to Sport: Bernard Thomas of Herts Phoenix Athletic Club

Young Participant of the Year (U16): Gabby Karouzis of the Paul Davis Fencing Academy/Chancellor’s School

Club of the Year: Garden City Runners

Sports Person of the Year: GB wheelchair rugby captain Chris Ryan

Outstanding Achievement in Sport Award: WBO world middleweight boxing champion Billy Joe Saunders

See next week’s Welwyn Hatfield Times for more from the awards.