Award winners in eight categories were announced with an emphasis on recognising clubs with a strong volunteer base and positive engagement with young people.

The awards are sponsored by the Richard Langhorn Trust, established in 1994 in memory of the Harlequins rugby union player who tragically died aged 29-years-old.

Swindon Shock's Ben Humphrey was named Volunteer of the Year, while the Young Volunteer accolade went to Frankie Jones of the Mid Wales Meteors.

Tameside Owls' Gregg Warbuton took home the Junior of the Year gong with the Development Coach honour going to Thomas Seaborne of Cardiff Celts, which shared the Digital Innovators of the Year award with fellow club Thames Valley Kings.

"To win the British Wheelchair Basketball award for junior of the year for doing something I enjoy so much is fantastic," said Warburton.

"I think wheelchair basketball is the best sport in the world and has given me friends for life.

"I just hope that I can make a difference by encouraging more young people to take up the sport."

There was also recognition for Rebecca Orleans, the Official of the Year, as well as Tees Valley Titans, the Club of the Year, and Hereward Heat’s Steve Spilka, the Service to Wheelchair Basketball award winner.

"The awards are a great showcase of what the talented club volunteers achieve day-to-day for British Wheelchair Basketball," said Jo Richard, development director of British Wheelchair Basketball.

"There were some tough decisions to be made and all of the clubs shortlisted tonight have made a significant contribution to growing the sport."

Keith Butten, from the Richard Langhorn Trust, added: "It is a great honour to be supporting the Wheelchair Basketball Awards.

"Clubs help people of all ages to find a passion in life and we strongly support those who inspire others to do great things.

"Richard was very special and he had an enormous impact on others.

"The awards in Richard's name hope to continue that impact and inspire those involved in the playing and running of wheelchair basketball."

This year’s European Wheelchair Basketball Championships are currently ongoing with 12 men’s teams and seven women’s teams battling it out for the right to be crowned continental champions as well as vital Rio 2016 berths.

The teams who finish in the top four of the women’s competition will secure a spot at next year’s Paralympic Games, while the top five men’s teams will also seal their ticket.

The competition is set to run until September 6 when the medal matches are scheduled to take place.


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