The best of the Royal Navy’s sporting talent has been formally recognised at the 2017 Sports Awards.
Held in the wardroom at Portsmouth Naval Base, The Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Jonathan Woodcock led the celebrations for the outstanding sports stars who have represented the Navy across a wide range of sporting forums over the previous 12 months.
Sportswoman of the Year went to Leading Naval Nurse (LNN) Samantha Eagle for outstanding achievements in swimming.
LNN Eagle holds over 20 Royal Navy records at various strokes and distances and was also a multi medal winner at the World Masters in New Zealand.
The NATO Cup for the Sportsman of the Year was presented to Marine George Crotty for his exceptional talents in Royal Navy boxing.
He was described as a prodigiously talented boxer and the Royal Navy’s 2016 Young Sportsperson of the Year is now English and GB Light Heavyweight Champion and the 2018 Commonwealth Games hopeful.
“2017 has been the perfect year for me really, I’m really proud and it’s thanks to the Royal Marines and the Royal Navy for all the support they’ve given me and time off work to train that I’m where I am” said Mne George Crotty, Sportsman of the Year 2017.
Highly renowned coach Petty Officer Physical Trainer Steve Lockton was awarded the Sports Officials of Year Cup for his outstanding commitment to Rugby League.
POPT Lockton was described as being the heart of the Royal Navy’s Rugby League team and instrumental in the team bringing home the Inter Services title in three of the last four years as coach.
The Royal Navy Team of the Year, which was presented with the Sports Control Board Cup, were the Royal Navy Squash team for achievements over an outstanding year, including bringing home the Inter Services title for the first time in over 55 years.
The Navy team were described as having ‘an exceptionally strong work ethic and immense determination’ over the previous season which resulted in the Men’s Senior Squash team dominating the competition right up to the championships at HMS Temeraire in February.
Young Sportsperson of the Year was awarded to Midshipman James French for his achievements in Winter Sports.
Multi medal winner Midshipman French has won both Royal Navy and Inter Services Alpine and Telemark Championships and remains the reigning GB Telemark Champion.
