Community champions crowned at Believe Sports Awards

Community champions crowned at Believe Sports Awards

This year's Believe Sports Awards winners celebrate their success at The Edge

Wigan Borough’s grassroots sports scene was celebrated in style on Saturday evening (17th October) as the winners of this year’s Believe Sports Awards were revealed.

Community champions from the worlds of rugby league, football, wrestling and martial arts were among those taking home trophies from the glittering annual ceremony at The Edge, Wigan.

This year’s event, which was organised by the council’s Be Well service and sponsored by JJH Building Contractors Ltd, also saw the presentation of the inaugural Sir Billy Boston Lifetime Achievement Awards to local sports stalwarts Margaret Galvin (Leigh Harriers and Athletic Club), Roy Wood (Aspull Olympic Wrestling Club) and Joe Fitzsimmons (Wigan St Judes ARLFC).

Members of Sir Billy’s family were among the special guests handing out the prizes, along with Ashes cricket hero and VIP speaker Matthew Hoggard MBE.

Councillor Nazia Rehman, Leader of Wigan Council, said: “Sport is a huge part of who we are here in Wigan Borough, and our incredible grassroots community is one of the things that makes our borough so special and unique.

“There’s so much talent and so many passionate people who give their time and energy to support others to chase their dreams and unleash their potential.

“This year’s Believe Sports Awards ceremony was another wonderful celebration of all our amazing athletes, coaches, volunteers, clubs and organisations who are doing great things in our communities and making a real difference in people’s lives. Hearing all the stories of hard-work, commitment and sacrifice was truly inspiring.

“We were also able to honour the legacy of one of our greatest sports figures by presenting our first ever Sir Billy Boston Lifetime Achievement Awards to three of our most dedicated sporting servants, Margaret Galvin, Roy Wood and Joe Fitzsimmons, in recognition of their outstanding contribution.

“Congratulations to all our worthy winners, runners-up and nominees - and thank you for everything you do for Wigan Borough!”

Aspull’s wrestling community had two reasons to celebrate on the night, with three-time British champion and multiple international gold medal winner Freya O’Connor of Aspull Warriors crowned Young Sports Achiever of the Year in front of the 400 invited guests at The Edge.

The Martin Lynn Team of the Year Award went to the Jinsei Dojo Boys Junior Kata Under 12s, who’ve established themselves as the UK’s leading team in their age group with five tournament golds and a bronze medal at the World Championships in Sweden.

Community not-for-profit Ataraxia For All CIC scooped Club of the Year for their wellbeing-focused multi-sport programmes. Meanwhile, the Inclusion in Sport Award went to Hindley Juniors FC for removing financial barriers to grassroots football and increasing participation and volunteering opportunities.

There was more joy for junior football as Martyn Daley of Atherton Collieries Juniors FC took home Volunteer of the Year, while the Wilf Brogan Unsung Hero prize went to Steve Bailey whose 50-year association with Aspull RFC has included stints as a player, coach, chairman and committee member.

A breakthrough year for teenager Riley Lannon of Wigan Warriors’ wheelchair rugby league team, who was left permanently paralysed following treatment for a rare spinal tumour, saw him come up trumps in the Overcoming Adversity Through Sport category.

After making his Wheelchair Super League debut, Riley went on to play in the Challenge Cup Final and earned selection for the England Under 14s pathway in both wheelchair rugby league and basketball.

Finally, the Changing Lifestyle Award was presented to George Williams for his remarkable progress in rebuilding his health and independence following a stroke that left him unable to walk.

Through physiotherapy, and weekly supervised gym and targeted swimming sessions at Ashton and Leigh Leisure Centres, George has strengthened his affected muscles, lost weight, improved the management of his type 2 diabetes and achieved his first assisted steps at home.

Councillor Chris Ready, cabinet portfolio holder for communities and neighbourhoods, said: “Whether it’s winning medals, overcoming setbacks, or supporting others to be their best selves, our 2026 Believe Sports Awards winners can all be well and truly proud of everything they’ve achieved.

“The competition was incredibly tough this year with a record-breaking 187 nominees, and it was wonderful to have so many of them with us on the night to celebrate another incredible 12 months of community sport.

“A big ‘well done’ to all our winners and nominees - you are all champions in our eyes!”

Full list of winners - 2026 Believe Sports Awards, sponsored by JJH Building Contractors Ltd

• Changing Lifestyle Award sponsored by Technogym - George Williams
• Club of the Year sponsored by Cornerstone DM - Ataraxia For All CIC
• Inclusion in Sport Award sponsored by Brookhouse Contracting - Hindley Juniors FC
• Overcoming Adversity Through Sport Award sponsored by Leigh Leopards - Riley Lannon (Wigan Warriors Wheelchair Rugby League)
• The Martin Lynn Team of the Year Award sponsored by Wigan and Leigh College - Jinsei Dojo Boys Junior Kata Under 12s
• Volunteer of the Year sponsored by Wigan Athletic Community Trust and Wigan Warriors Community Foundation - Martyn Daley (Atherton Collieries Juniors FC)
• Wilf Brogan Unsung Hero in Sport Award sponsored by Sportmax - Steve Bailey (Aspull RFC)
• Young Sports Achiever of the Year Award sponsored by Alliance Leisure - Freya O’Connor (Aspull Warriors)
• Sir Billy Boston Lifetime Achievement Award - Joe Fitzsimmons (Wigan St Jude's ARLFC), Margaret Galvin (Leigh Harriers and Athletic Club), Roy Wood (Aspull Olympic Wrestling Club)