College celebrates stars (From Warrington Guardian)

College celebrates stars

WIDNES and Runcorn Sixth Form College paid tribute to its sporting superstars on Friday night.

More than 100 students and parents gathered at the Village Social Club in Widnes for the awards ceremony for the 2003/04 season.

Rugby player Robert Critchley and footballer Gareth Noonan were awarded the Barham Trophy, which was donated to the college in the 1980s by the Hughes family.

The Barham Trophy recognises students who have made excellent contributions to both college sport and their studies.

Previous winners include rugby union international Gareth Davies and Great Britain hockey international Sarah Brady.

Sarah, now head of PE at the college, said: "It has been a fantastic sporting year for the college and each of the winners fully deserve their awards and should be proud of their achievements.

"It was a great night and was well attended by students, staff and invited guests."

Hockey player Michelle Marsh scooped the Warrington Wolves trophy for the student who has successfully combined sporting achievement with academic proficiency on a vocational course. Nicky O'Donnell, a current hockey international was a former winner.

The Kevin Gibney Memorial Trophy, donated in memory of a former student who died from cancer, was won by the college's rugby league team.

Kevin Gibney was a keen sportsman and a five-a-side football tournament was held in his honour.

The captains of the hockey, netball, rugby league, rugby union, football and basketball teams were also handed awards, as well as most improved player and player of the year for each sport respectively.

Representatives of the swimming, water polo and judo squads were also praised for their achievements.

Awards went to: Netball: Toni Kelly, captain's award; Hayley Brannigan, player of the year; Laura Beaton, players' player; Amanda McGowen, most improved player.

Rugby: Rob Critchley, rugby union captain; Ian Wilkinson, rugby league captain; Adam Elwell, most improved player; Mike Hughes, young player of the year.

Hockey: Rachel Steele, captain's award; Amy Glen, most improved player; Robert Wensley, most improved player; Natalie Mottershead, player of the year.

Football: Gareth Noonan, first XI captain; Matty Tyrer, second XI captain; Jez Agorom, third XI captain; Ian Stockton, manger's player of the year; Steven Akrigg, most improved player of the year.

Kevin Gibney five-a-side winners, the rugby boys team, the Widnes Waz's.

Basketball: Mathew Sullivan, captain's award; Ayham Mattar, most valuable player; David Makungu, most improved player.