BBC South Sports Personality of the Year
Winner: Graeme Murty
Voted for by the viewers and listeners in the BBC South region, the BBC South Sports Personality of the Year award recognises sporting excellence in 2006.
Graeme Murty, is Reading Football Club’s longest serving player and team captain. He was an instrumental figure in what has been described on the club website as a ‘truly incredible season which stands out as the undoubted highlight of the club's 135-year history.’
The following BBC South Sports Awards were decided by a panel of BBC South Sports Editors and reporters.
The DARES Ltd MALE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Winner: Sussex County Cricket Club
Winners of both the County Championship and the C&G Trophy
Nominated: Renault Formula 1 Team, Reading Football Club
Kuti’s Brasserie FEMALE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Winner: Toynbee School Under-14’s Football Team (from Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire)
Winners of the National Girls' Football title.
Nominated: Reading Cricket Club, Horsham Hockey Club
Tenon YACHTSPERSON OF THE YEAR
Winner: Dee Caffari
Became the first woman ever to sail solo and non-stop around the world against the prevailing winds and currents, setting a new world record after six months alone at sea.
Nominated: Helena Lucas (Southampton), Jackie Hunt and Mike Shelton (Hook, Hampshire)
De Vere Grand Harbour YOUNG SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR
Winner: Charlotte Purdue
15-year old athlete Charlotte Purdue, from Hook in Hampshire, is the junior number one in the country at middle distance running.
Nominated: Simon Mantell (Reading), Gareth Bale (Southampton)
Seward Motor Group DISABLED SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Winner: Simon Cookson
Winner of the World Blind Golf Championship, from Bishop’s Waltham in Hampshire
Nominated: Peter Norfolk (Fleet), Tim Gutteridge (Reading)
Hunt Johnston Stokes DISABLED SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Winner: Vicki Hansford
A rower from Farnborough who became world champion and a world record holder in her first season.
Nominees: Kim Minett (Fareham), Joanne Davison (East Preston)
Tenon CRICKETER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Claire Taylor
Claire, from Reading, made the highest ever individual score in a one day international at Lord’s.
Nominated: Shaun Udal (Hamsphire), Mushtaq Ahmed (Sussex)
BBC South RUGBY PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Mike Catt
Mike Catt plays for London Irish and is the Premiership Player of the Year
Nominees: Neil Hallett (Esher), Mal Roberts (Newbury, Army captain)
Jewson Ltd NON-LEAGUE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Winner: Weymouth Football Club
Weymouth were the winners of the Conference South
Nominees: Basingstoke, Horsham
Gold Medal (Romsey) Ltd FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Pedro Mendes
Pedro Mendes’ spectacular goals helped keep Portsmouth in the premiership
Nominees: Dave Kitson (Reading Football Club), Kevin Doyle (Reading Football Club)
La Vista Restaurant MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Steve Coppell (Reading Football Club)
Manager Steve Coppell steered Reading Football Club into the Premiership for the first time, and in some style by also achieving a record points total during the season.
Nominated: Mark Robinson (Sussex County Cricket Club), Harry Redknapp (Portsmouth)
Badger’s Holt Care Home SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Winner: Helene Raynsford
Helene, from Farnborough, is a wheelchair basketball international and rowing World Champion
Nominated: Daisy Dick (Berkshire), Claire Maytham (Southampton)
Jasper & Vincent SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Winner: Chris Adams
Chris led Sussex to cricket’s domestic double
Nominated: Graeme Murty (Reading Football Club), David Howell (Ryder Cup golfer)
BBC South Special Award
Winner: John Madejski
The BBC South Special Award is made to a man who has brought joy to many thousands of people. Someone from humble beginnings, who has shared his success with his community across a range of different fields. But it is in sport where he has – perhaps – made the most significant contribution. When this man decided to takeover his local football club they were an unfashionable provincial team playing in a ramshackle stadium. They are now one of English football's "big boys".
2006's BBC South Special Award goes to the Chairman of Reading Football Club, John Madejski.
BBC South Sports UNSUNG HERO, supported by Tesco
This award recognises an individual who works behind the scenes, on a voluntary basis, making a real difference to a sports club or team. Viewers and listeners were invited to send in nominations for their ‘Unsung Hero’.
Winner: Steven Cole, Swindon
Steven manages Penhill Boxing Club and his selfless work means even the most disadvantaged are given the opportunity to take part. He has been applauded for the welcoming atmosphere at the gym and he spends up to five nights a week at the club for no reward apart from passing on his knowledge, expertise and love of a sport which has helped him through some very tough times.
