Special Recognition Award for duo who are ‘a powerhouse team’

Sporting excellence from across the county was celebrated at the prestigious awards in Brighton where John and Kay Price picked up their gong.

The pair were labelled as ‘a powerhouse team’ after making a fundamental contribution to the development of sport in Sussex for many years.

As well as achieving great personal sporting success, their tireless involvement in the administration of local football, rugby and stoolball is highly commendable.

They were responsible for stoolball being recognised as a sport by Sport England in 2010, when Stoolball England was recognised as the National Governing Body.

John retires as Stoolball England chair on November 30 after 14-years in the role and Kay will retire as honorary secretary next year.

This is said to be stoolball’s loss; as both are seen as being irreplaceable.

Amongst the evening’s entertainment was a Commonwealth parade which welcomed some of Sussex’s top athletes including Horsham’s Jade Lally who won one bronze in the discus at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The event was organised by Active Sussex, the event welcomed back regular host, BBC Sussex DJ Danny Pike, who was joined by special guest, former freestyle and butterfly swimmer Mark Foster.

Sadie Mason MBE, Active Sussex chief executive said: “I would like to congratulate both Freedom Leisure and Crawley Borough Council on their wonderful achievement this year.

“The awards ceremony rewards quality, achievement, determination and commitment to those involved in sport across the county.

“Hearing their stories was truly inspirational and they are a credit to their sports and themselves. I hope that the winners, and of course all of those shortlisted, use this as a platform to push-on and strike gold throughout 2015 and continue to inspire more people to get involved in sport.”