LOCAL sporting talent has been celebrated at the second Brecon & Radnor Express Sports Awards.
Winners included 15-year-old footballer Carys Bufton and 52-year-old cricketer John Kenchington who was named sportsman of the year.
The sportswoman of the year prize went to Brecon rally driver Sara Williams while Invictus Games gold medalist Steve Sebburn, also of Brecon, was named disabled sports star of the year.
All the winners were determined by votes from Brecon & Radnor Express readers and their awards were presented on Friday night at a special celebration evening at the Castle Hotel by Brecon Mayor Manny Trailor.
Brecon & Radnor Express general manager Luke Walding opened the event which he said was important in bringing the newspaper and the community closer together. The awards were compered by Mark Weller of Ocsid Entertainment.
Guest speaker at the event was Des Lally who is nearing the end of his challenge to climb Pen y Fan 365 times in a year.
At the event Des, of Brecon, joked: "I’ve covered 1,280 miles and probably gone through seven pairs of shoes."
During his challenge Des has "bumped into" a host of Welsh celebrities including Tour De France winner Geraint Thomas, gold medal cyclist Becky James and her boyfriend, Welsh rugby star George North, and Matt Pritchard the star of the Dirty Vegan TV series.
However Des’ motivation to keep climbing two miles up and two miles back down, almost every day since last March, are two very special causes, the Cancer Research UK and the Help for Heroes veterans charity.
He said: "Mum and dad have had three different types of cancer and dad spent 26 years in the Army, so they are two causes very dear to my heart.
"I thought about doing an ironman or a triathlon but I probably wouldn’t have got to the finish line and the chances of getting to the start line were even slimmer as I probably wouldn’t have done the training.
"I’m asked what has it been like and it’s been amazingly awesome. I’ve loved every second of it and I don’t come from a walking background.
"I’ve also been asked have you not got bored and I haven’t. Everyday is different, it might be the same two miles up and two miles and down but the people and the weather are different and no two days are the same."
Des said his motivation has been to help raise funds for the two charities but also awareness of the causes. His most satisfying assent however was with a long term friend who almost died in an accident in Australia but has recovered his health and was able to walk up Pen y Fan with Des last autumn.
The first winner to be presented with her award was Carys Bufton who plays in the Brecon Corries mixed football team for under 14-year-olds.
She was named young sports star of the year and said her ambition is to be a professional footballer.
Sportsman of the year John Kenchington won the main prize, ahead of World Superbike runner up Chaz Davies and Brecon’s Irish rugby international, and Brecon Cricket Club member, Kieran Marmion.
However John, of Libanus, just missed out in the veteran sports star category to Brecon Cricket Club teammate Peter Owen.
John, who last year played for the Wales Over 50s cricket side in their first Over 50s World Cup, said: "To have this is totally unexpected. I’m humbled by it when you look at the people in the category I’m humbled by the thought people could vote for you.
"I came along thinking in the veteran category it could be but to win the main sportsman I’m humbled and a little embarrassed by that."
Despite missing out in the veteran category John did collect the award on behalf of Wales over 70s cricketer Peter Owens who was unable to attend the ceremony as he is currently on cricketing duty in Cyprus.
Disabled sports star winner Steve Sebburn, who won gold in men’s road cycling time trial at last year’s Invictus Games, said he had its founder Prince Harry to thank.
The former soldier, who was forced to retire from the military due to serious injuries sustained in training and ongoing complications, said: "If it wasn’t for Prince Harry I wouldn’t be standing here. He is the one who got me motivated, he just keeps you going and he is the inspiration for all of us. I know it sounds cheesy but everyone in that team are brothers and sisters.
"The next time I see him I will tell him about this."
Brecon & Radnor Express readers showed their appreciation of the work of those who dedicate themselves to helping others compete by voting Alan Taylor for the volunteer of the year prize.
The Brecon second XV player and coach, who lives in Sennybridge, is involved in coaching every night of the week other than Monday.
He also coaches Brecon RFC’s under 11s side and is chairman of its minis and junior section, coaches Sennybridge Primary School’s rugby side and the village’s under 7s and under 8s football team. On top of that he also helps coach Brecon Cricket Teams juniors when needed.
"I must have nothing else to do, " joked the married dad of two who said he "absolutely loves" coaching youngsters and urged anyone interested to volunteer with their local clubs.
Trecastle YFC Tug of War Club, who won numerous titles last year including at the Royal Welsh Show took the team of the year prize.
Sportswoman of the year winner Sara Williams was unable to attend due to illness.
For a full round-up of this year’s Sports Awards buy The Brecon & Radnor Express on sale from Wednesday, March 13