DIDCOT Girls School’s under 15 footballers capped a glorious 12 months when picking up a prestigious Oxfordshire Sports Award.
And it proved a great night for south Oxfordshire, with three other honours.
Didcot collected the junior team of the year accolade at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium on Friday night, after making history by becoming the first team to be crowned national champions for the third year in a row.
Manager Leanne Walker was wholesome in her praise.
“They are an incredible group of girls," she said.
“There is a new group coming through now, but all the younger people in the school look up to this team.
“They are just completely unaware of what they will have done for youth and girls football, both in this school, but also in Oxfordshire.”
Didcot Netball Club’s Julie McDermaid was also celebrating after landing the coach of the year award.
“It’s great for us as a club,” she said. “It started with a group of seven of us who just wanted to play netball, but we were soon up to 35, with three junior teams.
“We have people playing from nine to 57 years old.”
Didcot teammate Helen Grindey added: “Julie’s passion and commitment has been second to none.”
“She has been an inspiration to many and is a major contributor to the success of the club.”
To round off a great night for the area, the first winners of the sporting school award were King Alfred’s Academy (senior) and Sunningwell (primary).
ROLL OF HONOUR
SPORTSMAN OF YEAR
Winner: Jack Brooks (cricket). Runners-up: Zac Payne (cycle speedway) & Bradley Smith (MotoGP).
SPORTSWOMAN OF YEAR
Winner: Demi Lambourne (football). Runners-up: Nichola Simpson (archery) & Izzy Taylor (equestrian).
CLUB OF YEAR
Winner: Banbury & District Canoe Club. Runners-up: Abingdon Gymnastics Club & Thame Town Cricket Club.
TEAM OF YEAR
Winner: Oxford School of Gymnastics. Runners-up: Oxford City Lions Futsal & Oxford University Women’s Archery team.
COACH OF YEAR
Winner: Julie McDermaid (netball, PICTURED). Runners-up: Jeremy Bristoe (rugby) & Nikki Woodward (gymnastics).
JUNIOR SPORTSPERSON
Winner: Jade O’Dowda (athletics). Runners-up: Ben Goodall (gymnastics), Polly Hitchens (gymnastics) & Rosie Weston (triathlon).
JUNIOR SPORTS TEAM
Winner: Didcot Girls School Under 15 football. Runners-up: City of Oxford swimming & Oxford Academy football.
DISABILITY AWARD
Winner: Minster Lovell Cricket Club. Runners-up: Richard Thomson (bocchia) & Witney Wolves (rugby).
SUNNINGWELL SCHOOL
UNSUNG HERO
Winner: Gary Dent (ice hockey). Runners-up: Nigel Boulter (football) & Ann Workman (athletics).
YOUNG VOLUNTEER
Winner: Chloe Smart (football & ice hockey). Runners-up: Bel Lovell (rugby) & Nicholas Pinhol (cricket).
SPORTING SCHOOL
Winners: King Alfred’s Academy (senior) & Sunningwell Primary (junior). Runners-up: Blessed George Napier & Whitchurch Primary.
KING ALFRED'S ACADEMY
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
Rupert Evans (cricket).
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