Hosted at the Carriageworks Theatre and organised by Sport Leeds in partnership with Leeds City Council, the 2025 ceremony honoured the outstanding achievements of athletes, coaches, volunteers, and sporting contributors from across the city.
From grassroots to elite levels, the event celebrated individuals of all ages and abilities, with nearly 20 awards presented to a host of well-deserving winners. The evening highlighted not only sporting excellence but also the dedication and spirit that drive Leeds’s vibrant sporting community.
Among the evening’s standout winners was Leeds Rhinos Wheelchair Rugby League coach and former player James Simpson, who was honoured with the prestigious Sporting Pride of Leeds award. This accolade celebrates individuals, clubs, or organisations that elevate Leeds’s reputation as a hub of sporting excellence. Simpson joins an esteemed group of past recipients, including Rob Burrow, Eddie Gray, and Josh Warrington.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hetherington in recognition of his decades-long commitment to the sport. A posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award was also awarded to former Rhinos chief scout Bob Pickles, acknowledging his lasting impact on the club and community. Meanwhile, Joan Young received the Special Contribution Award for her unwavering dedication to developing and supporting netball throughout Leeds.
Honours in the Outstanding Sports Volunteer category went to athletics stalwart Dr Ian Richards and dedicated City of Leeds Diving Club fundraisers Fiona Croft and Becky Simmonds, recognising their invaluable contributions to local sport. The evening also celebrated Leeds’s Olympic and Paralympic talent, with awards presented to Georgie Brayshaw, Katy Marchant, Tom Pidcock, Hannah Cockroft, and Kadeena Cox – each of whom has proudly represented the city on the world stage.
In the Community Club category, Crossgates Harriers claimed top honours, while Methley Athletic AFC received a well-deserved highly commended mention for their commitment to grassroots sport.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture said:
“The Leeds Sports Awards is one of the highlights of our city’s sporting calendar and an event that means a huge amount to many people.
“It’s an opportunity to salute the sporting community as a whole, with the important contribution made by grassroots organisations – as well as volunteers and other unsung heroes – being rightfully celebrated alongside the high-profile achievements of Leeds Rhinos, Leeds United and our Olympians and Paralympians.
“Congratulations to all the winners and nominees at this year’s awards, you have done yourself and the city proud.”
FULL LIST OF WINNERS AND ‘HIGHLY COMMENDED’ RECIPIENTS
Young Sportsperson (Sponsored by Technogym)
Winner: Yaried Alem
Highly commended: Matilda Potter and Amy Wright
Young Disability Sportsperson (Sponsored by Technogym)
Winner: Oliver Porter
Highly commended: Lucas Town
Sportsperson (Sponsored by Technogym)
Winners: Georgie Brayshaw, Katy Marchant and Tom Pidcock
Disability Sportsperson (Sponsored by Technogym)
Winners: Hannah Cockroft and Kadeena Cox
School Achievement (Sponsored by YPO Sports)
Winner: St Theresa’s Catholic Primary School
Highly commended: Dave Curtis
Community Coach (Sponsored by Evans Homes)
Winner: Charlotte Williams
Highly commended: Elaine Brown and Pete Makowski
Community Club (Sponsored by Evans Homes)
Winner: Crossgates Harriers
Highly commended: Methley United AFC
Student Sport Champion (Sponsored by Leeds Trinity University)
Winner: Max Burgin
Highly commended: Luke Whitehouse
Outstanding Sports Volunteer (Sponsored by Rosterfly)
Winners: Dr Ian Richards, Fiona Croft and Becky Simmonds
Inspirational Community Champion (Sponsored by University of Leeds)
Winner: Come Outside – Jovanni Sterling and Rob Lattibeaudiere
Highly commended: Anthony Hall
Performance Coach (Sponsored by Yorkshire Sport Foundation)
Winner: Dave Murray
Highly commended: Rhys Davey, Paul Moseley and Adam Smallwood
Performance Club (Sponsored by Weetwood Hall Hotel)
Winner: City of Leeds Diving Club
Highly commended: Leeds Gymnastics Club
Sustainability Champion (Sponsored by Zoggs)
Winner: K.E.E.P.
Highly commended: Yorkshire Cricket Foundation
Sporting Pride of Leeds (Sponsored by First Direct Arena)
Winner: James Simpson
Lifetime Achievement Award (Sponsored by Leeds City Council)
Winner: Gary Hetherington
Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award (Sponsored by Leeds City Council)
Winner: Bob Pickles
Special Contribution Award (Sponsored by Leeds City Council)
Winner: Joan Young
Established in 2002, Sport Leeds has grown into a dynamic sports network with a strong reputation within the city and region. It serves as a strategic partnership for organisations involved in promoting and developing sports and active recreation in Leeds.
The network comprises professional and amateur sports clubs, universities, colleges, school clusters, and other prominent sporting organisations within the city, region, and beyond www.sportleeds.org
