OUR sporting heroes were honoured at the Get Berkshire Active annual Inspiration & Participation Awards ceremony.

The awards recognised the contribution local people have made in inspiring others to take up physical activity, as well as individual and team excellence in sport.

Over 250 people including 30 nominees and winners were joined by a host of special guests at Blue Mountain Golf & Conference Centre in Binfield last Friday.

The guests included Olympic gold medallist Katherine Copeland MBE and Paralympic gold medallist Sophie Christiansen OBE.

Speaking at the ceremony, Copeland said: “I am honoured to be at the Berkshire Inspiration & Participation Awards.

“It’s a real privilege to be part of something that rewards those who dedicated their time to getting others active.

“It was also a pleasure sharing my own sporting story with all the guests and nominees.” England cerebral palsy football team captain Jack Rutter and Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow Athletics Club star Lesley Owusu also attended.

The Mayors of Bracknell Forest, Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, Slough and Wokingham were on hand to present awards to the winners.

The coverted Sports Personality of the Year Award went to Lucie Colebeck of Pinewood Gymnastics Club.

Colebeck is now the top female tumbler in Great Britain and is a role model for other aspiring tumblers throughout the country.

This year she won the Senior Women’s British title and was part of the Great Britain team cruising to victory at the European Championships.

At the same time Colebeck also took the individual title, becoming the youngest to win such an accolade.

Colebeck could not make the awards ceremony as she was on duty with Great Britain in Denmark and her father, Darren, collected the prize.

He said: “We give Lucie our 100 per cent support. It’s almost like being full-time ourselves.

“Parents have to be just as dedicated as their children if they’re to reach the top like Lucie has. We’re very proud of her.” RFU president Jonathan Dance was rewarded for his long-standing contribution to Berkshire rugby with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dance’s administrative roles at the RFU are many and his valued work encompassed being a member of the 2015 Rugby World Cup bid committee.

Bracknell RFC chairman Ian Hallam collected the award on his behalf and said: “I sent a text to tell him he had won and he was obviously delighted.

“With this award and England winning, it was a very good night for Jonathan. I’m delighted for him and Bracknell are proud of him.” The Club/Team of the Year Award went to Wokingham-based Pinewood Gymnastics Club, who have produced a number of British champions in tumbling and team gym.

Club manager Carol Gregory collected the award and said: “We’re absolutely delighted to win as it’s a reward for all the hard work put in by club members.” Reading YMCA - BOBI League Football picked up the Youth Award for their work with young people who are vulnerable, homeless and often coming from broken families.

Tony Henry collected the award and said: “We’re very pleased to have won. It’s a team effort and this is a nice reward for all those involved.” 2015 Get Berkshire Active Inspiration & Participation Awards winners: Sports Personality of the Year - Lucie Colebeck, Wokingham Junior Sports Personality of the Year - Annabel Chaffey, West Berks Lifetime Achievement - Jonathan Dance, Reading Workplace of the Year - Promote PR, RBWM Health Project of the Year - Sandhurst Health Walks, Bracknell Volunteer of the Year - Valerie Childs, West Berks Coach of the Year - Chris Donovan, Slough Club/Team of the Year - Pinewood Gymnastics Club, Wokingham Youth Award - BOBI League Football - Reading YMCA, Reading **PICK up a copy of the Observer, out now, for all the latest sports news and action including pictures from the awards ceremony** **FOLLOW the Observer on Twitter at @Observer_sports**