A glittering array of sporting talent was on parade at the Belfast Europa for the third annual Local Women Sports awards, compered by UTV Sport presenter and Local Women Sport columnist Ruth Gorman.
With Olympic gold medal winning legend Lady Mary Peters as chief guest, the only dedicated women in all-sports gala awards ceremony in the whole of Ireland and the UK are headline sponsored by fuel provider GO Power with Belfast Live and U105 as online broadcast and media partners.
And, while acknowledging the achievements of international athletes, most notably Olympic medalists Hannah Scott and Rebecca Shorten and athletes, Kate O’Connor and Ciara Mageean, these awards essentially recognise the feats of grassroots local sportswomen, which, after all, is our website’s brand name.
The judging panel comprised of Zoe Watson, Picture Editor, Belfast Live; Patricia McCullough (NI Women’s Football Association); Leanne Urquhart (Rugby), Rosemary Allister (Mary Peters Trust and hockey), LGFA referee Fionnula Murphy and camog Catriona Channing.
Here are the results of their deliberations out of 600 nominations submitted by followers of www.localwomensport.com.
PICTURES BY SEAN DONEGAN
Best Overall Coach of the Year, sponsored by Schweppes
Ashleigh Cowan (Dungoyne FC): Ashleigh has enjoyed magnificent success in growing ladies football at the Dungoyne club. She not only coaches and runs the girls’ section but also recruits new coaching talent and all on a voluntary basis. Her teams grew from 12 girls in 2021 to over 90 this season.
Young Sports Woman of the Year (under 18), sponsored by B-Bold
Teddy Weston: Apart from sporting achievements in inclusive ice skating, Teddy has worked hard towards a campaign to get para skating included in world sporting events.
Team of the Year, sponsored by Sara Edge Solicitors
Armagh Senior Ladies: What a year for the Armagh Senior Ladies, winners of the LGFA National Football League Division One.
Best Rugby Player, sponsored by U-Hire
Brittany Hogan: Brittany is an Irish international rugby player from Killinchy, Co Down. She plays for Old Belvedere, Ulster, the Ireland women’s national rugby union team and the Ireland women’s national rugby sevens team. She won the Celtic League with the Irish Wolfhounds.
Rugby Coach of the year, sponsored by Tresses Hairpiece Boutique/Wigs Ireland
Neil Alcorn: Neill has been a champion for women’s rugby from helping out at his local club to his role as IRFU’s full time talent coach and coach of Celtic League winners, The Wolfhounds.
Best Hockey Player, sponsored by Belfast Live
Rebekah Lennon: Rebekah enjoyed a fantastic season with Portadown Club, her school Portadown College, who won the Belfast Telegraph Schools Cup and was also selected for the Ireland Under 18 squad.
Best Hockey Coach, sponsored by Go Power
Bethany Harper who led Portadown College to the Belfast Telegraph Schools Cup
Best LGFA Player, sponsored by McAleer and Rushe
Lauren McConville: Lauren started the year by being chosen as LGFA Player of the Month, went on to win the National League Division One title with Armagh and finished the year on the All Star Team of the Year.
LGFA Coach of the Year, sponsored by former Camog and owner of Blades and Beauty, Catriona Channing
Martin Sherlock: Martin has devoted a lifelong commitment over 30 years to coaching at all ages and developing players for his club and county, achieving title success with Antrim U16s at Ulster and All Ireland level
Camogie Player Of The Year, sponsored by localwomensport.com
Erin Coulter: A winner of All Ireland Medals at club, school, county and University level. Erin also coaches younger children, helping nurture more talent from grass roots to senior level.
Camogie Coach Of The Year, sponsored by MRP
Jacinta Faulker: The St Mary’s coach is so proactive with the younger players in her club and is also a senior camog and sports massage therapist. Jacinta’s dedication to both her own family and club family make her a very worthy winner.
Footballer of the Year, sponsored by Lafayette Photography
Nadene Caldwell: A goal scoring midfielder for Glentoran FC and a NI International, Nadene has also started the new season in top goal scoring form.
Best Football Coach, sponsored by PCA Skin
Ashleigh Cowan: Ashleigh has been coaching Dungoyne FC and since founding the girls section in 2021 she has grown the club to 90 girls. Her passion, leadership and unwavering dedication, have transformed girls football at Dungoyne, creating a lasting legacy for future generations.
Athlete Of The Year, sponsored by PCA Skin
Veronica O’Neill: City of Derry Spartan Veronica represented Team Ireland in the Summer European Youth Olympic Festival in 2023 and did the 100m and 400m Hurdles double Gold at her final Irish Schools Championships
Swimmer Of The Year , sponsored by TBI NI
Danielle Hill: Danielle is the 2024 European Champion in the 50 metre backstroke, representing Ireland at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics and has broken multiple Irish national records
Sportswoman with a Disability, sponsored by Number 7 Cocktails
Nicola Doran: Nicola’s numerous achievements in open water swimming include first para swimmer to complete the Baltimore to Fastnet lighthouse swim. Currently awaiting an amputation, Nicola is a multiple medal winner and record breaker
Unsung Heroine Award , sponsored by Platinum Care
Kimberly Robertson: Kimberly is the chair of East Belfast GAA and is committed to making it all happen in difficult circumstances. Her dedication extends far beyond the traditional role of a chairperson. Kim is not just a leader in name, she leads by example.
Backroom Award , sponsored by Getty Glass
Roisin Murphy: Roisin has been the head physio for IRFU’s new women’s high performance programme which has seen players professionally contracted for the first time. She has had a key role along with rugby coaches and athletic performance. Roisin was also a key member of the set-up as the national team finished third in last season’s Six Nations to secure World Cup qualification and elevation to WXV1.
Most Inspirational Sportswoman, sponsored by Linen Green
Jacqui Pope: Jacqui is a former competitor at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships, has represented her county internationally and is now a manager at GLL, a nonprofit company promoting health and fitness and operator of Belfast lesiure centres. Jacqui created inclusive wellness programs and fosters community well-being.
Best Sporting School Of The Year, sponsored by Sheena Noelle Design
St Dominic’s Grammar School: A unanimous decision by all judges, St Dominic’s were winners across a wide range of sports including Gaelic Football, Netball, Basketball and Camogie
Health & Fitness PT Of The Year, sponsored by the Shandon Hotel
Hollie Hunt : Hollie gives 100 per cent of her time and effort to her clients. Her knowledge has helped so many transform their body and mindset, offering options for every person whether it’s one to one, small group or transformation groups. She understands injuries and works with clients when rehab is needed.
Hollie is available for all her clients and has created the best independent gym where bodies have transformed and friendships created
Gym Of The Year , sponsored by Karen McShane Ltd
Fuel Fitness: Fuel Fitness is run by Hannah Collins who has a female only gym with a welcoming atmosphere. Helping new mums get back to fitness and feeling great, Fuel Fitness has mums and baby classes and a mums walk this year for all mums in the local community aiming to help mums not only with their fitness but socially, too.
Referee Of The Year , sponsored by Natural Umber
Louise Thompson: Louise, with 15 years’ experience, became the first female to officiate a men’s Irish Premiership match. Louise is an inspiration who promotes and mentors’ referees.
She is as straight-talking as they come, but always fair, always encouraging and there to help.
Club Of The Year, sponsored by U105
St John’s Camogie Club: For community outreach and engagement, empowering women and serving their community with pride. St John’s are a solely camogie club focused on 100% committed to providing for their ladies.
Sportswoman Of The Year, sponsored by Fonacab
Kathryn Dane: Ireland international Kathryn Dane became the first woman from Ulster to play for the the Barbarians when they faced South Africa in Cape Town last August. That completed a remarkable comeback for the Ulster skipper on her return to the game after suffering a brain haemorrhage in 2022.
Special Recognition award 1, sponsored by GO Power
Denise McDonald : Denise has 29 years experience in refereeing both GAA and LGFA codes in Armagh. First female to referee GAA men’s championship games and a player coach and referee whilst raising her family.
Special Recognition award 2, sponsored by That Prize Guy
Eva Mullen: Eva has great work commitment and efforts that she has put into building a female ethos within the world of motorsports and building a platform/team for girls to get opportunities within the sport.
Donegal Sportswoman of the Year, sponsored by PJ McDaid
Keri Loughrey: The19 year old from Buncrana is a Republic of Ireland underage international and is targeting silverware after making the move to NIFL Premiership side Linfield
Breakthrough Award, sponsored by localwomensport.com
Ballinderry Shamrocks LGFA: The Derry club caters for ladies gaelic foodball and camogie, winning an All Ireland Senior Club championship, three Ulster Championships and 13 Derry Championships.
Editor’s Choice award, sponsored by localwomensport.com
Demi Vance: Nominated in two vastly different categories, excelling in both, football and health and fitness personal trainer
Lifetime achievement, sponsored by GO Power
Nikki Parke: Nikki has been a faithful member of Ballymoney Hockey Club for over 25 years. An Ireland international, Nikki played in Ballymoney’s 2001 Irish Senior Cup winning team that went on to play in Europe. Just last year she represented Ireland as part of the over 40s Ulster Hockey team that played in the World Cup in South Africa. To still be playing hockey at the age of 42 is testament to Nikki’s talent and her dedication to her sport and her club.
