Footballer Danny Kerr and runner Kate Olding bag top prizes at UKAF Sport Awards
A Royal Navy footballer and an Army distance runner have been recognised with the highest accolades at the 2024 UK Armed Forces Sports Awards at the RAF Club in London.
The nominees were made up of the winners of the single service awards which were held at the end of last year, and those winners are automatically invited to central London to celebrate the 2023/24 forces sport season.
The Sportswoman of the Year award was won by Lieutenant Kate Olding from Army Athletics.
Lt Olding has enjoyed tremendous success across many running disciplines, including becoming Inter Services champion in the marathon, 10k, 5000 metres and the 1500 metres.
She was awarded ahead of fellow long-distance runner Chelsea Baker from the Royal Navy and table tennis player Darcie Proud from the Royal Air Force.
Sportsman of the Year went to Royal Navy footballer Chief Petty Officer Danny Kerr, who has been playing representative football for 18 years and the 2023/24 season was arguably his best year yet.
He skippered the Royal Navy senior men's team to title wins at the Inter Services and the Portsmouth Senior Cup, as well as the UK Armed Forces team to win the Kentish Cup.
CPO Kerr was awarded ahead of Olympic and Army rower Stephen Cox and RAF weightlifter Michael Cutler.
The Sports Official category was awarded to the RAF's Group Captain Ray Morley, who has worked as a boxing official on the international stage over the past two decades.
Gp Capt Morley's recent call-up was at last year’s summer Olympics in Paris, where his influence and training of boxing officials played a significant part in demonstrating that boxing should remain a part of the summer Olympic programme.
His fellow nominees were Andrew Cook from Army Ice Hockey and Paul D'Arcey from Navy Athletics.
The Sports Team of the Year was announced ahead of the ceremony, and that was won by the Army men’s senior rugby team, after an incredible comeback against the Royal Navy at Twickenham last year.
The final award was inaugural UKAF Achievement Award, which went to Squadron Leader Geoff Ellis.
Sqn Ldr Ellis has been involved in orienteering as a runner, coach, organiser, mentor and controller for four decades.
He becomes the first recipient of the UKAF Achievement Award, which was introduced for the first time at the 2024 ceremony.
🗣️"We don't stop, we don't give up and we don't stop the fight". 🏉@armyrugbyunion's men's head coach Lt Col Tim Osman speaks to @cathbra on how resilience in the sporting arena and on the battlefield go hand in hand whilst accepting the Team Award at the UKAF Sports Awards!🏆 pic.twitter.com/QsOGPv1wVz
— BFBS Sport (@BFBSSport) April 10, 2025
The final award was inaugural UKAF Achievement Award, which went to Squadron Leader Geoff Ellis.
Sqn Ldr Ellis has been involved in orienteering as a runner, coach, organiser, mentor and controller for four decades.
He becomes the first recipient of the UKAF Achievement Award, which was introduced for the first time at the 2024 ceremony.
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