Ruth Walczak named ‘Sports Achiever of the Year’ at Rochdale Borough Sports Awards

Ruth Walczak, Sports Achiever of the Year - award presented by Sophie Cox

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An audience of over 120 at the Link4Life Rochdale Borough Sports Awards saw Ruth Walczak named ‘Sports Achiever of the Year’. Ruth's award was presented by Sophie Cox.

Ruth recently won bronze at the World Championships in Korea. Her routine involves up to five hours of training each day and she is a hot favourite for Team GB selection for Rio.

Ruth, from Healey, Rochdale, is the first female from Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club to represent Great Britain at a Senior World Championships and also the first to win a medal.

The ‘Disabled Sports Achiever of the Year’ is Jamie Kelly, whose award was presented by Derek Derenalagi.

Jamie captained the Great Britain team at World Aquatics in Puerto Rico, USA. He won three Gold medals in record time. Jamie’s weekly training routine involves three mornings at 5.30am-7.30am and four evenings from 4pm-6pm.

Other award winners, announced by MC, Andrew O’Sullivan MBE: 

• Volunteer of the Year - Elaine Roydes
• Changing Lifestyles Recognition Award - Emma Jones
• Coach of the Year - Helen Woodcock
• Unsung Hero - Rodney Stanley
• Club of the Year - Rochdale Company of Archers

Competition was fierce and sports represented included swimming, karate, rowing, yachting, gymnastics, athletics, archery, rugby, lacrosse, football and climbing. Disability sports were also represented, including boxing, boccia, goalball and ten pin bowling.

Guest presenters of the awards included the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Peter Rush, Leader of the Council, Councillor Colin Lambert, Deputy Principal of Hopwood Hall College, John Spindler, Ryan Bradley, Chief Executive of Rochdale Hornets and Lydia Greasley and Viv Eldridge from GreaterSport.

Special guest speakers were Derek Derenalagi and Sophie Cox who shared their experiences of their personal journeys to reach the London 2012 Paralympic and Olympic games. Both Derek and Sophie share a background in rugby and will be returning to Rochdale next month to take on a special role at the Rugby League World Cup Fiji versus Ireland match at Spotland Stadium on Monday 28 October.

Link4Life Chief Executive, Gillian Bishop said: “The Rochdale Borough Sports Awards provide us with the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate achievements in sport in the borough over the last year. The commitment and dedication of the many people, of all ages and backgrounds, whose contribution is being recognised tonight, is an inspiration. It is exciting to see the quality of nominations received, the range of sports included and the variety of organisations represented.”