The annual Farnham Sports Awards showcased the town’s sporting talent and achievement.

Eighteen-year-old golfer Lottie Woad, from Farnham Golf Club, was crowned the 2022 Sports Personality of the Year. She joins the illustrious list of winners on a trophy that dates back to 1973.

Sports Council chairman David Gill said: “Once a year at the awards, the most amazing sporting achievements and human interest stories come out of the woodwork. This year has certainly been no exception. Lottie was one of many outstanding high-achievers last year and we have to say a big well done to all the 48 award winners at this year’s awards. They are all incredible.

“The rise and rise of women’s and girls’ sport was visible at this year’s awards, no more so than by Badshot Lea’s ladies’ football team and the Farnham Cricket Club women in the Team of the Year category. Sport in Farnham is for everyone to enjoy.

“There is an undeniable link between success and the quality of coaching, highlighted by Ian Jennings (hockey) and Sean Bailey (swimming) – we are lucky to have them. But any one of the nominated coaches could have won the Coaches Award in another year, and that’s great news for sport in Farnham.

“Many of our local sports clubs have bounced back very strongly from Covid, no more so than the growing Farnham Swimming Club – a sport that was badly affected by the pandemic – and they produced two excellent young swimmers who enjoyed success at the British Championships.

“The Sports Club of the Year were the Farnham Runners. They are a genuine community club and I love their camaraderie and energy – but I especially love the fact they provide both a mental health ambassador and a mental health champion. That is a real and relevant public service.

“We had some wonderful nominations in the Disability Sport category but the stand-out winner had to be Jason Bastable. Because of the impact of Covid, he is still the World Blind Golf champion. He defends his title next month and I am sure the whole of Farnham wishes him well.

“And what inspires a ten-year-old boy, Caspian Rutt, to be concerned about a war happening many hundreds of miles away and deciding he wants to run every day to do something about it? Not happy with that, he then decides the homeless are just as deserving of his fundraising efforts. Quite remarkable.

“Frensham Pond hosts a quite outstanding sailing club and it is maybe the jewel in our sporting crown. After all, how many towns in England have a sailing centre of excellence on their doorstep that caters for both able-bodied and disabled sailing? This year’s success story was reflected in the Young Sports Team of the Year, three young sailors led by their helm, William Shepherd.

“Many of Farnham’s residents will be concerned about the environment and the first winner of the Environmental Impact Award were the ambitious Stellar Gymnastics. There is much to be said for highlighting good sustainability stories and we hope all clubs can learn from each other and be proud of their green credentials. Let’s hope Farnham’s sporting community can play their part.

“The Farnham Senior Sports Club, based at the Farnham Leisure Centre, have been around since the early 1980s and many seniors have enjoyed active lifestyles at this popular multi-sport club – but I’ve never yet heard of anyone in their 98th year actively taking part. Take a bow, David Haughney!

“But this is my favourite story from 2022. The incredibly gutsy runner Shirley Perrett, who has suffered recurring bouts of cancer and extensive chemotherapy, was running in last year’s London Marathon but she fell and became unconscious.

“Thanks to the support given by fellow runner Craig Tate Grimes, who ran backwards on the course to go to her aid and, with medical backing, they ran the last five miles together to complete the London Marathon. There are some amazing people in Farnham!”