The shortlist for the 2018 Isle of Man Sports Awards sponsored by Microgaming PlayItForward, has been announced today (21 February).
The event which will take place on Thursday 4th April 2019 at the Royal Hall, Villa Marina, will look back on 2018 and recognise athletes for their successful sporting achievements.
Gary Corkhill, Executive Chairman for Isle of Man Sport, said:
‘This year’s committee faced a difficult task when shortlisting for this year’s Sports Awards. 2018 was a fantastic year in sport for the Isle of Man, with numerous competitions taking place both locally and internationally. We were pleasantly surprised to see such a broad range of sports that local athletes are competing in on a global stage, resulting in us seeing a number of lesser known sporting disciplines and names shortlisted for this year’s event.’
This year’s awards include 11 categories, including the Sportsman of the Year and Sportswoman of the Year.
Shortlisted for the Sportsman of the Year award category for 2018 are 2017 category winner and 2nd in E2 World Enduro Jamie McCanney, 2018 British Enduro Champion Daniel McCanney, last year’s category winner and Commonwealth silver medallist in double trap shooting Tim Kneale, 2nd in TT Superbike race & 3rd in TT Senior race Conor Cummins, 2nd in both TT Sidecar 1 and TT Sidecar 2 races Lee Cain, ‘King of the Mountain’ in the Tour of Switzerland Mark Christian, and boxer Danny Roberts, who turned professional in 2018 and remains unbeaten.
Shortlisted for the Sportswoman of the Year award category for 2018 are Commonwealth Games 100m butterfly athlete Charlotte Atkinson, Commonwealth Games cyclist and winner of the Most Active Rider on Stage One of the Tour De Yorkshire Anna Christian, 2018 record breaking athlete Rachel Franklin, four time consecutive Winter Olympic snowboarding competitor Zoe Gillings-Brier, Time Trial Commonwealth Games cyclist Elizabeth Holden, 2* league winner equestrian rider Yasmin Ingham, race walker and Commonwealth Games competitor Erika Kelly, and GB Carriage Driving team member who finished 1st at International 3* Haras du Pin in France Libby Priest.
The event also includes the presentation of the 2018 Sure Sports Leader of the Year Award and Sports Aid scholarships to athletes who will be supported by Isle of Man Sport Aid in 2019/20120.
Guest of honour at the awards is Olympic and Commonwealth Long Jump champion, Greg Rutherford MBE.
The event starts at 8.15pm. Tickets are available to book online via the Villa Gaiety box office.
