INSPIRATIONAL - that was the buzz word as sporting excellence was recognised at a special ceremony this week.The annual Waveney Sports Awards were celebrated on Tuesday as nine trophies and certificates were handed out to honour “outstanding” successes and a wealth of sporting talent in the district.

INSPIRATIONAL - that was the buzz word as sporting excellence was recognised at a special ceremony this week.

The annual Waveney Sports Awards were celebrated on Tuesday as nine trophies and certificates were handed out to honour “outstanding” successes and a wealth of sporting talent in the district.

Achievements in the sporting arena were rewarded in the surroundings of Africa Alive! at Kessingland, as the roll of honour featured winners aged from as young as nine … to experienced veterans.

Leading sportsmen and women and volunteers were singled out for their successes in 2007 as the 11th annual awards ceremony, sponsored by The Journal, organised by Waveney District Council and supported by the Active Waveney Sports Partnership, Lowestoft and Beccles Schools Sports Partnership and Africa Alive! produced another high-calibre field of entrants.

The awards were conceived to recognise and reward people involved in sport within the Waveney district.

But the awards are not only given out for individual achievement and excellence, they are also presented to honour the unsung heroes - those who work tirelessly behind the scenes, such as coaches, teachers and volunteers - without whom none of this success would be possible.

And such was the high standard of entries that was received this year, it meant that judges Claire Gallagher and Jane Lewis, from Waveney Council; John Hughes, from the Lowestoft Schools Sports Partnership; Bob Harness, from the voluntary sports community; John Pawsey, from the Active Waveney Sports Partnership; and Mark Boggis, sports editor at The Journal, all had an even tougher task this time round. So much so that it was decided to award four highly commended certificates for the first time this year.

The presentations were made by the guest speaker and chairman of Active Waveney and Waveney Gymnastics Club John Pawsey, and deputy leader of the council Wendy Mawer.

“To me this is one of the highlights of the year, it's an evening where we can celebrate success and have the chance to feel good about the people who live in Waveney,” Ms Mawer told an appreciative audience.

“Today is a clear recognition of the success each of you have had in your chosen sport and to be honoured you have all gone that extra mile,” Mr Pawsey said. “For me this (awards ceremony) is about inspiration - and all of you have been inspirational in what you do.”