FORMER Matlock Baileans Hockey Club president Ann Bradley has been honoured for her work with a prestigious award.

Ann (photo on back page), who stepped down from her role earlier this year, received the Service to Sport award at the Derbyshire Sports Awards in recognition of her voluntary work with the club.

During 35 years of servie, she has taken roles such as administrator, Clubmark officer, umpire and umpire coach.

She was announced as the judges’ choice for the award during a ceremony at Derby’s Pride Park Stadium, attended by more than 250 people.

Peter Green, sports editor at the Derby Telegraph, which sponsors the Service to Sport Award, presented the trophy to Ann.

The Derbyshire Sports Awards saw the county’s brightest sporting stars, coaches and volunteers gather with other invited guests to celebrate the successes of the past year and recognise community heroes and coaches who have contributed to sport at grassroots level.

The evening saw 14 coveted trophies awarded, with Carsington Sailing Club picking up a runners-up trophy in the Derby County FC Club of the Year category in recognition of its strong links with the School Sport Partnership and its work to provide opportunities for people with a disability.

The U14 Girls Basketball Team from Anthony Gell School also picked up a runners-up trophy, in the Derbyshire 2012 Junior Team of the Year category, after winning the U14 Girls Derbyshire County Cup.

The awards are sponsored by the University of Derby and organised by Derbyshire Sport, a county sports partnership which provides the strategic lead for sport in Derbyshire.

Clive Moesby, chairman of Derbyshire Sport, said: “We have a wealth of talented sports performers and dedicated coaches and volunteers in the county, and it is great to be able to recognise the dedication these people show.

“My congratulations go to each of the winners and all the finalists and I wish them many more years of sporting success.

“It was great to see so many people join us at Pride Park for a fantastic evening looking back at some of the sporting highlights of the past year.”

Headline sponsor of the awards was the University of Derby, which was joined by category sponsors the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, Derby Telegraph, Derby County Football Club, Origination, Derbyshire Sport, Derbyshire 2012, Connexions Derbyshire Limited and Derbyshire County Council.

The winners are:

University of Derby Sportsperson of the Year. Winner: Nicola Minichiello (Chesterfield/NE Derbyshire – Bobsleigh). Runner-up: Mark Gregory (Derby City – Powerlifting).

University of Derby Disabled Sportsperson of the Year. Winner: Jon Hall (Bolsover - Wheelchair Basketball). Runner-up: David Ellis (Amber Valley – Swimming)

University of Derby Junior Sportsman of the Year. Winner: Liam Pitchford (Chesterfield/NE Derbyshire – Table Tennis).