Burnley sports stars had a successful night at a prestigious sports awards ceremony last week.
The great and the good of county sport came together for the Lancashire Sports Awards at Preston’s Guild Hall with two winners and two highly commended coming from the area.
Megan Riley picked up the Young Volunteer of the Year award and Frank Entwistle came on top in the Adult Volunteer of the Year category.
Aneila Afsar was highly commended in the Rising Star section while Joshua Walne was highly commended in the Disability Sport category.
A member of Burnley Leisure’s volunteering scheme, Megan was honoured for her contribution to sporting opportunities in Burnley.
She has devoted her spare time to the leisure trust’s holiday club, Thompson Park boathouse, Step2it female-only fitness sessions and Active Streets projects.
Earlier this year she was crowned as Burnley’s Young Volunteer of the Year and StreetGames UK Sports Volunteer of the Year.
Frank, who’s been involved with Lowerhouse Cricket Club for 35 years, has been awarded for his significant contribution to the club.
Over the years Frank has worked behind the scenes to help give the club a sound financial infrastructure, allowing it to provide cricket for senior and junior teams.
After retiring from playing the sport himself, he became the membership secretary and memberships have doubled.
Frank also coordinates the logistics for special events and major matches. He is constantly looking at new initiatives to benefit and improve the club.
The event, sponsored by Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, was organised by Lancashire Sport Partnership to celebrate the achievements of those who have been a driving force on the county’s sporting scene and included guest speaker world champion gymnast Beth Tweddle.
Paul Foster, Burnley Leisure’s head of development, said: “We are delighted that our local sports people have been recognised for all their efforts and achievements.
“Burnley has many great sporting heroes, which we celebrate every year at Burnley Community Sport Awards ceremony. The nomination process will be opening in January 2016 and I’d like to encourage residents to put people forward who deserve recognition for all their hard work.”
For more information about Burnley Community Sports Awards and Volunteer Burnley initiative, please visit burnleyleisure.co.uk or call 01282 477167.
