MCR Sports Awards 2024: Celebrating Greater Manchester’s sporting excellence

By MCR Active | 28 November 2024 | TAGS: "disability sport", "sports awards", Cycling, Community groups, Recognition, Manchester

On November 16, the MCR Sports Awards 2024 took place at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel. The event honoured individuals and groups advancing sports in Greater Manchester, with Katharine Merry and Iwan Thomas as hosts.

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees! Read on to see who was awarded in each category.

Junior Sports Achiever
Winner – Annabel Amadin
Annabel, 17, is an exceptional athlete, ranked 2nd in the UK for Shot Put in her U20 age group and 11th in Discus. She’s a multiple champion and international gold medalist. Annabel also mentors young athletes as an ambassador for the We Love MCR Charity, inspiring others through her achievements.

Young Volunteer of the Year
Winner – Ibrahim Karim & Aman Butt
Ibrahim, 17, and Aman, 18, have volunteered with Abraham Moss Warriors since age 5. They manage the U10s football team, run youth clubs, and support community initiatives. As qualified coaches, they mentor younger members, helping them avoid crime and promoting volunteering, playing a key role in the club’s success.

School of the Year
Winner – Abraham Moss Community School
Abraham Moss School partnered with Access Sport to offer leadership training, helping over 200 students engage with local sports clubs. The school has successfully involved girls in sports through partnerships with boxing and cycling clubs, fostering an inclusive environment and enhancing sports opportunities for all students.

Our Manchester Award
Winner – Table Tennis England
Table Tennis England’s Ping Hub at the Great Northern Warehouse is a vibrant space offering coaching, tournaments, and competitions. Opened before the 2024 World Table Tennis event, it’s now one of the busiest table tennis hubs in the country, providing vital support to local players.

Community Project of the Year
Winner – Bee Pedal Ready
Bee Pedal Ready empowers marginalised communities, especially women of colour, to embrace cycling. Through workshops and group rides, the initiative has created a welcoming environment across areas like Hulme and Moss Side. Led by Belinda Everett, the project fosters independence and promotes physical activity in the community.

Outstanding Contribution to Sport
Winner – Jenny Meadows & Trevor Painter
Jenny and Trevor, former athletes and coaches of the M11 Track Club, have shaped the careers of numerous top athletes and Olympians. Their commitment to developing athletes and fostering a world-class track club continues to impact the sport at the highest level.

Event of the Year
Winner – British Cycling National Track Championships 2024
The National Track Championships returned to the National Cycling Centre after major refurbishments, launching Manchester’s year as the European Capital of Cycling. The event helped inspire the city to embrace cycling, encouraging more residents to get involved and pedal their way into the future.

Club of the Year
Winner – Wythenshawe Park Nacro Community Cycling Hub
Wythenshawe Park’s new cycling hub offers a range of activities, from Pedal Parties to Learn to Ride sessions. Since opening in 2023, it’s attracted over 300 participants. Run entirely by volunteers, it fosters a cycling culture in the community, with strong support from British Cycling and Manchester Active.

Volunteer of the Year
Winner – Sally Ratcliffe (Fast Girls Run Club)
Sally founded Fast Girls Run Club to provide a track-based training environment for women. Offering free sessions, she’s created a supportive space for runners of all abilities. Her guidance helped 25 members join the Great Manchester Run, inspiring them to push their limits.

European Capital of Cycling Special Awards
Winner – City Academy Project
The City Academy Project offers free BMX sessions at the National Cycling Centre, allowing young people to experience BMX racing and find a pathway into the sport. It provides both a fun and competitive environment to nurture young cycling talent in Manchester.

Winner - Rides For Women
Bee Pedal Ready and Station South hosted two "Rides for Women" events in 2024, empowering women to cycle together, enjoy the ride, and advocate for safer cycling roads for all.

Winner - Bike Hive
Bike Hive, celebrating 10 years, offers cycling opportunities like Learn to Ride, confidence-building, and bike repair. They’ve inspired many to start cycling.

People’s Champion
Winner – Martin Ware
Martin is a key figure at Debdale Outdoor Centre, inspiring countless individuals through his work in water sports. His holistic approach to coaching creates a supportive environment where participants thrive. Martin’s commitment to inclusivity, including leading projects like the Wheely Boat Project, has made a lasting impact on the community.

The MCR Sports Awards 2024 highlighted Greater Manchester’s unwavering commitment to creating a more active, inclusive community. Through initiatives in cycling, athletics, volunteering, and coaching, the city is making sport accessible to everyone. These efforts are transforming lives, inspiring future generations, and reinforcing sport’s power to unite and empower communities.

For those who missed it, watch the highlights from the night.