Sport

RAF Sports Awards 2016 Celebrate Best Of Forces Sport

The awards moved from their usual location Halton house to the Sergeants Mess.

Up for 'Sportswoman Of The Year', Cpl Kris Sumner, for Table tennis, winner of the RAF ladies title six times and for the first time this year Inter-services champion.

Also nominated for the second time in three years Sqn Leader Caitlin Wroe, for ten years at the very top in women's skiing and also on horseback.

But the winner and RAF Sportswoman of 2016 is SAC Sian Williams, a world class Rugby Union player, among the best ever produced by the RAF, and one of a clutch of top women Rugby players in the forces who are making a huge impression at International level. Sian's almost certain to Captain Wales at next year's World Cup.

The 'Sportsman Of The Year' title is also a big call. Cpl Josh McNally again nominated from Rugby Union. Josh has continued to be at the very centre of Rugby's revival in the RAF, selected not only as an outstanding player but also as a great ambassador for the sport .

Also chosen, from Tug of War, Warrant Officer Gareth Davies who has made a massive contribution to developing the sport in the Air Force.

This year he coached and led the RAF squad to their first Inter-services medals in more than a decade, and became the only athlete in the UK to medal at the English and Welsh Championships.

But the winner and RAF Sportsman of 2016 is Squadron Leader Chris Evans, the outstanding RAF tennis player of his generation.

A nine times service champion and team captain since 2012. Not only that with only three months notice was drafted in as the INVICTUS Games International Engagement director, responsible for liaison between competitors their coaches and the organisers.

The award for 'Team Of The Year' was between the incredibly successful women's Triathletes, who retained the inter-services standard distance title they'd won twelve months before.

But 'Team Of The Year' has gone to the Men's Skeleton team, for their continued success on the Ice, who with virtually a brand new team maintained their success at Inter-services level, winning a 10th successive title by a massive 15 “ winning three of the top four places.

'Sports Official Coach Of The Year' is Sgt Ady King, for his work helping the development and success of Sports Parachuting with 'Administrator Of The Year' going to Sgt Ailsa McDermott for Netball.

All the winners will join their Army and Navy counterparts at the UKAF Sports Awards in March next year.