MICHAEL Flynn was last night crowned sports personality of the year at the inaugural South Wales Argus Sports Awards.
Newport County AFC manager Flynn received the accolade after masterminding the club’s great escape from League Two relegation last May.
Michael Flynn Picture Chris Tinsley
He is now trying to guide the Exiles into League One on the back of a great start to the season, which included a run to the FA Cup fourth round.
A panel of judges deemed Flynn worthy of the accolade ahead of Dragons captain and Wales second row Cory Hill and IBF world featherweight champion Lee Selby.
đź“°| Huge congratulations to Manager Michael Flynn who has been named Personality of the Year at the South Wales Argus Sports Awards. #SWASportsAwards #OneClubOneCounty
— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) March 14, 2018
👉https://t.co/qmCq3Qlajc pic.twitter.com/n42uDj3eUb
Hill also missed out on the Dragons player of the year gong to hooker Elliot Dee, while defender Ben White was voted Newport County AFC player of the year.
Meanwhile, Flynn’s achievements in 2017 also saw him named the professional sports personality of the year at a Celtic Manor awards ceremony celebrating the great and good of Gwent sport.
Michael Flynn's second award Picture Chris Tinsley
British athletics legend and former Olympic 100m champion Linford Christie was the event’s guest speaker, on a night which saw a total of 14 awards handed out.
Joining Christie was Newport’s Winter Olympian Mica Moore, fresh from her successful campaign in Pyeongchang alongside bobsleigh teammate Mica McNeill.
Winter Olympian Mica Moore was presented with a special award Picture Chris Tinsley
Also celebrating at the Celtic Manor was Valley Taekwondo Academy’s Ben Meyrick, who was named young sports personality of the year.
Ben Meyrick Picture Chris Tinsley
He came out on top ahead of fellow finalists Morgan Lucas and Amy Oliver, both from Valleys Gymnastics Academy, in a hotly-contested category.
Islwyn Running Club’s Kay Dixon was a contender in two categories – volunteer of the year and coach of the year – and got the nod in the latter.
Kay Dixon Picture Chris Tinsley
Dixon’s work helping amateur runners achieve their goals clearly impressed the judges, as she beat Newport Harriers’ Darryn McAtee and Usk Junior Football Club’s Rikki Knight to first prize.
Look who is enjoying the #SWASportsAwards @mica_lolita @Lawrencemoore66 in the @TheCelticManor . Thank you @southwalesargus for the invite 🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/jDfN9Y7juU
— Lolita Byfield-Moore (@lbyfield_moore) March 14, 2018
Caitlin Hooper Picture Chris Tinsley
Caitlin Hooper prevailed in a two-horse race for the junior coach of the year honour, the Tillery Dragons Netball Club mentor overcoming the challenge of Torfaen Academy of Gymnastics’ Zoe Davies.
Remi Adebiyi with his award Picture Chris Tinsley
Up and coming Newport Harriers athlete Remi Adebiyi was crowned grassroots sports personality and Valleys Gymnastics Academy’s Bethany Paull scooped the disability sports performer gong.
Bethany Paull Picture Chris Tinsley
The volunteer award went to Graham Jones, the Pontypool United RFC kit man who has worked tirelessly for the club over the past two decades.
Graham Jones Picture Chris Tinsley
Reg Jewitt has been at the heart of Lliswerry AFC since the late 1970s and remains a key part of the club at the age of 84.
Reg Jewitt Picture Chris Tinsley
His work over a number of years saw him receive the outstanding services to sport in Gwent award.
The efforts of clubs and teams was also recognised in three categories.
Cwmbran Town AFC under-13s Picture Chris Tinsley
Pontypool United RFCÂ Picture Chris Tinsley
Valleys Gymnastic Academy Picture Chris Tinsley
Pontypool United RFCÂ first XV landed the senior team of the year honour, Cwmbran Town AFC under-13s were junior team of the year and Valleys Gymnastics Academy edged out Torfaen Academy of Gymnastics and First Steps, Pontypool to the community club of the year prize.
Full list of award winners:
County Player of the Year - Ben White
Dragons Player of the Year - Elliot Dee
Volunteer of the Year - Graham Jones
Junior Coach of the Year - Caitlin Hooper
Coach of the Year - Kay Dixon
Community Club of the Year - Valleys Gymnastics Academy
Junior Team of the Year - Cwmbran Town AFC Under-13s
Senior Team of the Year - Pontypool United RFC
Outstanding Services to Sport in Gwent - Reg Jewitt
Disability Sports Performer of the Year - Bethany Paull
Grassroots Sports Personality of the Year - Remi Adebiyi
Young Sports Personality of the Year - Ben Meyrick
Professional Sports Personality of the Year - Michael Flynn
Sports Personality of the Year - Michael Flynn
All the winners from the awards Picture Chris Tinsley
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