INSPIRATIONAL sporting people from Droitwich Spa have been recognised for their achievements.

Wychavon District Council hosted the annual Sports Recognition Awards at the Civic Centre in Pershore on September 19.

Winners were joined by family, friends and supporters alike to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the region’s sportsmen and women during the last year.

Michael Pardow from Droitwich Amateur Boxing Club was named as the senior male Sports Personality of the Year.

Since the age of nine, Michael has dedicated time to realising his potential as a senior boxer. He has had 136 bouts to date, probably the highest number of any amateur boxer in England. He has won more than he has lost and has never been stopped or counted out. This year Michael realised his dream of winning a Midland Counties Senior Boxing Title.

In the past two years he has featured in tournaments as far apart as London and Newcastle, Cardiff and Lincoln or Lydney and Scunthorpe, demonstrating the commitment he puts into the sport.

The Coach of the Year title went to Russell Adams of Gaudet Luce Golf Club.

He has created the junior golf project and continued to run sessions free of charge after school funding was cut.

He coaches the county’s girls and boys and has over 130 juniors that visit him every week for coaching. His coaching extends to teaching the blind, ensuring accessibility into the sport for all.

He has also had personal successes in the game and has now made it into the Golfers World Magazine as one of Britain’s top 100 golfers.

Droitwich Rugby Club Minis and Juniors was given the Junior Club Teams of the Year honour.

The teams have had continued success representing the club both this year and in previous competitions. The under 13s have been to the North Midlands Championship for three years running and the Under 16s have made the North Midlands Youth Final. The majority of the youth teams have won tournaments and festivals across the Midlands.

Droitwich Rugby Football Club was also given credit for allowing various other sports to use their ground. Sports clubs that benefit from the facilities include the Droitwich Archery Club, Westbury Celtic Football Club, Worcestershire & Droitwich Bridge Clubs and Kidderminster Harriers FC.

The Chairman of Wychavon District Council, Councillor Richard Morris, said: “One of the real pleasures during the year is recognising those who have contributed so much to sport in our district and to share with friends and families the undoubted success of so many.”