Find out more on Bradford Sports Awards 2019 winners

Senior Achievers

Sportsman of the Year – Jack Carthy

The all-conquering Jack won a third consecutive UCI World Trials Championship title in China.

Haworth-born Jack mountain bike star Jack continued his dominance of a men's 26-inch category which he has made his own, maintaining his grip on the title in style. Jack retained his crown by a margin of 20 points, completing a hat-trick of gold medals in Chengdu in November. At the age of 22, Jack has already achieved so much and shows no signs of slowing down.

Sportswoman of the Year – Natalie Haythornthwaite

Natalie made her Team England debut at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in April and returned home having made history.

England pulled off a huge upset to beat hosts and resounding favourites Australia in the final and claim gold, scoring in the final second to snatch a dramatic 52-51 win. Newcomer Natalie, who played wing attack, was part of the heroic squad which won Team of the Year and Greatest Sporting Moment of the Year at the BBC Sports Personality Awards.

Disability Sportsman of the Year – Stuart Meikle

Late to elite competition, Bingley-based Stuart is certainly making up for lost time.

A lifelong cyclist, he had never run in his life until trying a running blade in 2017, but became GB National para-duathlon champion last year and finished his first full season with a gold medal competing for GB in the Portugal World Cup series. The Bradford-born 43-year-old is eyeing a place in the GB squad for the 2020 Paralympic Games and he will take some stopping at this rate.

Disability Sportswoman of the Year – Farah Yasin

Farah has achieved so much in a short space of time since taking up Taekwondo, winning seven domestic titles.

Her commitment to training paid off again in 2018 as she became a two-time national champion in Para Taekwondo and won gold at the British International A-Class competition. Farah also passed her red belt in grading tests last year to move a step closer to gaining a black belt in a dynamic martial art which she continues to excel in.

Club/Team of the Year – Bradford (Park Avenue)

Bradford (Park Avenue) secured a National League North play-off spot last year and are mounting another strong challenge this season.

Despite facing clubs - some of which are full-time - with bigger budgets at their disposal, Avenue were a force to be reckoned with in the 2017/18 campaign, finishing seventh before going down 1-0 in a play-off semi-final against Brackley Town. High-flying Avenue look set to be in the promotion shake-up again this term with Mark Bower at the helm.

Club/Team of the Year (non-professional) – Bradford City Disability Ladies FC

The first female disability football team in Bradford went from start-up to FA People's Cup runners-up in a flash last year.

Initially encouraged to come along for a one-hour session in January, the pan-disability team of various ages finished second at St George's Park in April. The ladies - some of whom had never played before - with a wide-range of disabilities overcame barriers to become the only side in Yorkshire to compete in the event, making amazing memories in what was a fantastic achievement.

Young Achievers

Young Sportsman – Jamie Simpson-Kidd

Taekwondo sensation Jamie won gold at every competition he entered in Great Britain in what was a stellar 2018 for the teenager.

The dedicated 16-year-old from Silsden became the junior -63 British National Champion in September despite having a problem with his foot, which will never be fixed. Jamie also competed for Great Britain at the Junior World Championships, the Youth Olympics qualification event and the European Under-21 Championships.

Young Sportswoman – Holly Waxman

Diving prodigy Holly has continued to improve her skill levels and competitive results since being named Young Sportsperson of the Year.

She won silver in the 1m event and 3m bronze at the GB Junior Elite Diving Championships and claimed two medals in the senior women's event at the Irish Open Championships. Holly also took silver at the Senet Cup in Eindhoven, was fifth at the British Diving Championships (senior) and eighth in the European Junior Championship - hitting the heights in another successful year.

Young Disability Sportsperson – Ella Curtis

History-making Ella will become the first female tricycle athlete to compete at the Special Olympics World Games for Team GB in Abu Dhabi in March.

She was also the first female tricycle athlete to represent Yorkshire and the Humber at the GB National Special Olympic Games in Sheffield, winning a silver medal.Ella, who has Down syndrome, has gone from being scared to cycle to learning to race and winning medals for Yorkshire.

Young Club/Team – Great Horton Church Cricket Club

Another hugely fruitful year saw seven Great Horton Church Cricket Club junior teams win as many as 10 trophies.

Players from the Under-13 squad flew to Malaysia for an amazing experience of linking up with S.A.S. School in Kula Lumpa on an education and culture trip, using cricket to foster sporting links between the two countries and play two matches.

The club also won the Community Hearts Award for the work done with juniors around cricket in the area.

Active Achievers

Active Workplace – Baildon Church of England School

Baildon CE understands the importance of a healthy mind and body.

The school started an initiative to encourage pupils, staff and parents to upload their activities on a secure website, with our sports council choosing winning families for each class, as well as the healthiest member of staff every half-term. The initiative has been a great success, increasing participation and activity levels in families and staff.

Active School – Baildon Church of England School

Incredible levels of opportunities, participation and success for pupils and staff led to Baildon becoming the first Bradford primary school to receive Sainsbury’s Platinum Sport Award.

Over 75 per cent of children took part in school clubs during a brilliant year which saw 17 teams qualify for the Bradford Finals, 12 of which won medals - including becoming tag-rugby and athletics champions.One-hundred children represented Baildon in cross-country races and there was increase in disability sport participation, including a West Yorkshire School Games gold medal for the Boccia team.

Student Club/Team - Bradford Grammar School Junior Girls Running Team

The Bradford Grammar Junior Girls team did their school proud by claiming silver medals at the English Schools Cross Country Cup National Finals.

The girls were rewarded for putting in the hard yards as they produced an incredible display on the national stage at Woodbridge School in Suffolk in November. In excess of 1,500 schools participated in the competition last year, so taking silver was a remarkable feat for the talented Bradford Grammar girls.

Outstanding Contribution

Coach of the Year – Rick Simpson

Rick Simpson has coached Taekwondo for 20 years, recently helping both a visually impaired student and a wheelchair user gain black belts. The two athletes were selected for the Great Britain Para-Poomsae team, thanks in no small part to Rick's expertise and dedication.

Rick has a unique ability to coach people to their own capabilities, improving techniques and showing immense knowledge and enthusiasm with patience and understanding. He has produced a multitude of incredible medal-winning athletes in a short space of time.

Volunteer of the Year – Majid Hussain

Majid is the volunteer driving force behind Athletico Juniors FC, going above and beyond to serve the club. He takes pride in what he does for a creative football club, which grew rapidly from 30 members to 250 plus in a year, engaging with children to develop their social and football skills in a fun environment.

For five years, Majid has dedicated his weekends to coaching youngsters and received accolade for the work he has done when he was given the Ces Award by West Riding FA.

Teacher of the Year – Matthew Holliday

Matthew's passion and dedication enriches the experiences of pupils at Baildon Church of England Primary School. His belief that there is a sport for everyone is matched by his involvement in all activities, whether it be running at the back during cross-country, or umpiring school cricket, netball and hockey clubs.

Matthew's tag rugby club achieved incredible levels of participation and success, with nearly 100 children joining after-school practices.

Sporting Highlight of 2018 – Team Tour de Yorkshire Bradford

TDY Team Bradford Council has delivered special world-class cycling events since 2014 and last year's finish in Ilkley was a resounding success. Ilkley Team members worked hard to ensure the event added real value to local communities.

Towns involved in the race bought into with full commitment, focusing on community engagement at every stage and ensuring the wider district was involved. There was an excellent relationship with external partners, focusing Bradford and the big picture for Yorkshire.

Special Recognition – Tony Kingham

Tony has shared his infectious passion for running with young people for many years.

Running the Bradford Schools Athletics Association, he has organised, arranged and marshalled a cross-country league that regularly has more than 400 children involving schools from across the district. The event has enabled athletes to achieve significant regional and national success.

Tony has also helped Bradford Parkrun become a hugely popular weekly community event, with hundreds of entrants taking part.