Prizes ranged from £100 and free gym membership for the year, through to £7,000 financial support and access to physiotherapy and all GLL leisure sites.

Guests at the awards ceremony heard from guest speaker Kimberley Woods, who is currently ranked number two in the world in the new Olympic discipline of Kayak Cross, winning Silver at the World Championships in Germany and Gold at the World Cup in Slovenia. She also competes in the canoe slalom, competing for Great Britain.

Kimberley was rewarded with the 2022 Rugby Sportswoman of the Year award, which was presented to her by Mannie Ketley, Rugby Borough Council Chief Executive.

The Sportsman of the Year award went to Kian Taylor-Jackson. Kian competes domestically and internationally as a member of the IDO street dance squad. In 2022, Kian became British champion in a number of categories, including breakdance. Travelling over to North Macedonia he secured a European Championship before taking 2nd place in the World Championships in Austria. In July, Kian also performed as part of the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth games.

Young Sportsman of the Year was presented to Joe Rowe. Joe is currently World Champion in the Topper dinghy and has a promising future as a sailor. 

Tom Kittendorf, Rugby Borough Council Chief Officer for Leisure and Wellbeing, said: “The Rugby Sports Awards are a celebration of some of Rugby’s best sporting talent. Importantly, they also support emerging talent with training and physiotherapy, so they really do make a difference to the borough’s sporting success.

“This year’s winners once again demonstrate the depth and breadth of sporting success in our borough, and all the nominated athletes can be proud of their achievements in 2022. With some great talent, and dedicated coaches, the future of sport in Rugby looks extremely promising.”

The winners of the main category awards were as follows.

• The Unsung Hero 'Volunteer' Award - sponsored by Warwickshire CAVA: Jamie Lambert, Rugby Lions RFC Minis & Juniors
• The Mark Gallagher Memorial Award for Coach of the Year: James Wright, Rugby and Northampton Athletics Club
• The Simon Warwood Memorial Award for Young Team of the Year, Rugby and Northampton Athletics Club Lower Age Group YDL Team
• The Lion Geoff Thompson - Young Volunteer of the Year - Sponsored by Rugby Rokeby Lions: Finley Hughes, Rugby Trampolining Club
• The Young Sports Person of the Year: Joe Rowe
• The Club of the Year Award: Rugby Artistic Swimming Club
• The Sportsman of the Year Award: Kian Taylor-Jackson
• Sportswoman of the Year: Kimberley Woods, Rugby Canoe Club
• The Lifetime Achievement Award: Jon Hughes, Draycote Water Sailing Club

For more information on the winners see www.rugby.gov.uk/sportsawards.