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The gala ceremony, hosted by BBC’s Sally Taylor and Roger Johnson, saw some of the region's best sporting talent being recognised for their achievements over the past 12 months.

Sports Personality

The highlight of the evening was the Sports Personality of the Year Award, voted for by BBC viewers, listeners and website users.

Geoff Holt receives his award from Sir Robin

Geoff Holt made history in 2007 as the first disabled person to sail solo round the British Isles. He defied a series of setbacks and terrible weather – sleeping ashore every night. 

Geoff was paralysed from the chest down by a swimming accident at the age of 18. In recent years, he’s helped others – as a founder of Sailability. 

Geoff was presented with his award by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

He told Sally Taylor: "What started out as my 'personal Everest', turned into something quite different. I've got 2,000 emails and letters at home from people who said what I had done has inspired them."

2007 BBC South Sports Award winners

Winners

It was an emotional night for all the winners and for the audience as tributes were paid to World Cup Winner, and BBC Radio Solent pundit, Alan Ball who died suddenly in April.

The Alan Ball Award was presented by Alan's son Jimmy to Sussex County Cricket captain Chris Adams.

Amongst the Hampshire winners were David Smith of Treloar College who is the World Champion in Boccia. Unbeatable at England and Great Britain level, David topped the world rankings in May this year.

An all-age, unisex sport, Boccia requires skill and judgement of the highest order – and David is unbeaten on home soil for longer than anyone can remember! Yet he’s only 18! David also helped Britain to team gold.

Shaun Udal receives his special award

Yachtsperson of the Year went to Sir Robin Knox-Johnston who struck a blow for the older generation in 2007. He completed his second solo circumnavigation of the globe in the Velux 5 Oceans Race. 

He battled through early storms with the determination which has made him one of sailing's legends. He eventually crossed the finish line, aged 68, on 4 May – after 159 days at sea.

Hampshire's Dimitri Mascarenhas won the Cricketer of the Year burst onto the international scene in dramatic fashion in 2007.

After a decade of waiting, the Hampshire all-rounder was picked for England's summer One Day Internationals. On 5 September he wrote his name in the history books when he hit five successive balls for six – from India's Yuvraj Singh. No England player has hit 30 runs from an over before. 

Footballer of the Year, David James

There was also a special award for one of Hampshire Cricket's most loyal stalwarts - Shaun Udal who retired from county cricket after an unbroken career spanning three decades and 600 matches. 

Widely respected as one of the most dependable spinners in the professional game, Shaun gained less international recognition than he probably deserved – but made his mark.

Pompey goalkeeper David James was named Footballer of the Year after making Premier League history in 2007 – passing the previous record of 141 clean sheets. It's a consistency which also earned him an England recall. 

David was a key figure as Pompey achieved their highest ever Premier League finish – and their best for half a century. A talented artist, incisive columnist and committed charity worker, there’s much more to him than just goalkeeping. 

Full List of 2007 BBC South Sports Awards Winners

Male Team of the Year
Guildford Heat Basketball Club

Female of the Year
GB Women's Quadruple Sculls

Disabled Sportsperson of the Year
David Smith, World Boccia Champion
(Treloar College, Alton, Hampshire)

Young Sportsperson of the Year
Adam Harrington, Gold medal swimmer
(Crawley, Sussex)

Yachtsperson of the Year
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston

Racing Award
Tony McCoy, Champion jump jockey
(Lambourn, West Berkshire)

Coach of the Year
Mark Robinson – Sussex Country Cricket Coach

Cricketer of the Year
Dimitri Mascarenhas - Hampshire CCC

Rugby Player of the Year
Dan Cawley
(Bournemouth, Dorset)

Fooballer of the Year
David James - Portsmouth FC

Non-League Team of the Year
Salisbury City

Sportsman of the Year
Geoff Holt - Disabled Yachtsman

Sportswoman of the Year
Sarah Ayton – Yachtswoman

BBC South Special Award
Shaun Udal – Hampshire CCC

BBC South Unsung Hero Award
Margaret Simons – founder of Bardwell FC (Bicester, Oxford)

The Alan Ball Award
Chris Adams – Captain Sussex County Cricket

Sports Personality of the Year
Geoff Holt - Disabled Yachtsman