Community champions grab spotlight at Believe Sports Awards

Community champions grab spotlight at Believe Sports Awards

Winners of the 2025 Believe Sports Awards on stage at The Edge, Wigan

Grassroots rugby league and community combat sports were the big winners at this year’s Believe Sports Awards ceremony.

More than 350 invited guests were at The Edge, Wigan on Saturday evening (20th September) for Wigan Borough’s annual celebration of sport and physical activity, sponsored by JJH Building Contractors Ltd.

Among them were former Super League referee James Child, who handed out the trophies to the eight category winners - it was a good night for the oval ball game with Ince Rose Bridge, Shevington Sharks and Wigan St Patrick’s all picking up prizes.

Councillor Chris Ready, Wigan Council’s cabinet portfolio holder for communities and neighbourhoods, said “The Believe Sports Awards are always such a wonderful occasion and this year’s ceremony was no exception!

“As a borough we’ve produced world and European champions like Keely Hodgkinson, Tom Aspinall and Ella Toone, and made Wembley our second home over the years with the Warriors, Leopards and Latics… but all that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

“There’s so much talent and so many amazing people who dedicate their lives to helping others achieve their potential through sport, and it’s fantastic to be able to celebrate them and give many of them the recognition they deserve.”

In a year that Wigan Warriors’ women made history by winning the Challenge Cup for the first time at Wembley, women and girls’ rugby league was particularly in the spotlight.

Ince Rose Bridge Sports and Community Club were named Club of the Year having been commended for their growing girls section, and Wigan St Patrick’s Under 14s Girls took Team of the Year after an undefeated league season that ended with three trophies.

Meanwhile, the Wilf Brogan Unsung Hero Award was presented to Stephen Bates, the club secretary and honorary chairman of Shevington Sharks ARLFC who has helped develop the club into a real hub for the local community, linking closely with local schools and colleges.

Other individual prize winners included Winstanley Warriors Football Club chairman Shaun Rotherham, who took home Volunteer of the Year for his amazing dedication to the club, and Aspull Warriors Wrestling Club prospect Blaize Tingle who was named Young Sports Achiever of the Year.

The win caps a remarkable 12 months for the 13 year old, who won silver at the prestigious Tallinn Open – the biggest wrestling tournament in Europe – and gold at the Mallorca Open, as well as winning the ADCC Jiu-Jitsu event in Brazil.

Another teenager, 12 year old karate kid Reagan Swinburn of Jinsei Dojo, was recognised in the Overcoming Adversity Through Sport category after surmounting confidence issues to become a shining example for other, less experienced students.

And this year’s Changing Lifestyle Recognition Award went to the remarkable Rachel Andrews, who hadn’t exercised for more than 20 years before joining Be Well’s Couch to 5k programme and is now a qualified run leader who has completed half marathons and has trained as a mental health first aider to help others who are struggling.

Last but certainly not least, Boxing For Better CIC were punching the air with delight after fighting off stiff competition for the Inclusion in Sport Award.

The Norley Hall based not-for-profit organisation was recognised for its incredible work with young people from under-served communities, adults with disabilities, individuals on probation, young offenders, and those with special educational needs.

Councillor Ready added “I’d like to say a massive ‘congratulations’… not just to our winners, but also to all our runners-up, finalists and nominees who contribute so much and make Wigan Borough’s grassroots sports community so special.”

A prize raffle on the night raised £1,140 for the Mayor's chosen charities - Curious Minds and All Ears Mental Health Awareness CIC.

Full list of winners:

The Martin Lynn Team of the Year Award sponsored by Wigan & Leigh College – Wigan St Patrick's ARLFC Under 14s Girls

Young Sports Achiever of the Year sponsored by Alliance Leisure – Blaize Tingle (Aspull Warriors Wrestling Club)

Overcoming Adversity Through Sport sponsored by Leigh Leopards – Reagan Swinburn (Jinsei Dojo)

Inclusion in Sport Award sponsored by The Wigan Beer Company – Boxing For Better

Changing Lifestyle Recognition Award sponsored by Technogym – Rachel Andrews

Volunteer of the Year sponsored by Wigan Athletic Community Trust and Wigan Warriors Community Foundation – Shaun Rotherham (Winstanley Warriors FC)

Wilf Brogan Unsung Hero Award sponsored by Agilysis – Steve Bates (Shevington Sharks)

Club of the Year sponsored by Cornerstone DM – Ince Rose Bridge Sports and Community Club