ROCHDALE'S Sports For All (SFA) held their annual awards presentation to celebrate the sporting successes and achievements of young people in the borough.

The ceremony, which was sponsored by Kashmir Youth Project and Link4Life, was held at Touchstones arts and heritage centre.

Guests included MPs, Paul Rowen and Jim Dobbin, Chief Superintendent, Peter Mason, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Peter Fahy, Rochdale mayor Councillor Robin Parker as well as local councillors, young people, faith leaders and community activists.

The first group to receive their awards were the winners of Soccer Aid 2008 tournament, Sparth FC. They received medals and a trophy from Cllr Parker and Cllr Mohammad Sharif. A special award was given to Wardleworth Allstars who won the fair play award for their excellent sportsmanship during the competition.

Players who took part in the badminton tournament over the summer were also recognised as well as those who took part in the Alliance Shield event which aimed to build better relationship between the Muslim community and the local police.

Eastern Magic received awards for winning the indoor cricket tournament held in August last year. They also received the fair play award.

Pauline Maher, who has retired after providing over 20 years of youth service to young people in Manchester, received an award for her exceptional contribution and manager at Springhill Sports Centre, Andrew Entwistle was also presented with an award for his "behind the scene contributions" to enable SFA youth club to run successfully at the centre.

The young sports achiever award went to 11-year-old Keira Walsh. Keira has already represented Rochdale in swimming, netball and badminton. In addition, she has played cricket for Lancashire Cricket Club and football for Blackburn Rovers, where their coaches believe she is destined to play for England.

The services to the community award was presented to Rochdale Chief Superintendent, Peter Mason. Rochdale faith, sports and community organisations voted for Mr Mason for helping to build safer communities.

Said Asif Rafiq of Sports For All: "This is our ninth year in regards to running sporting activities with the aim to strengthen community cohesion. We involve young people, men and women of all ages, ethnicities, faiths and backgrounds.

"We don’t know of many other groups out there as diverse as we are - it is what makes Sports For All unique. The work we carry out is on a voluntary unpaid basis and therefore those colleagues who organise these activities, and encourage people to take part in them, are our real community champions. "

A minute's silence was also held to remember victims of the Gaza conflict and a cheque of £500, which was raised for victims in Gaza during Soccer Aid 2008 tournament, was presented to Islamic Relief.

The full list of winners is as follows;

• SFA 2008 (five a side) Soccer Aid Tournament: Winners Sparth FC
• Fair Play Winners: Wardleworth All Stars
• SFA Badminton Winners: Under 13,Kiera Walsh, Under 13 Doubles: Mohammed Bilal & David Matthew, Under 16 Girls: Georgina Davies, Under 16 Winner: Haider Ali, Under 16 Doubles: Haider Ali and Remo Datta, Under 19 Winner: Aftab Iqbal, Under 19 Doubles: Paul Barker & Jamie Morgan
• Alliance Trophy, 2008 Champions: Rochdale Police Team
• Sports & Community Recognition Awards: Pauline Maher – Manchester Youth Service, Andrew Entwistle - Manager Link 4 Life
• Young Sports Achiever Award for 2008: Kiera Walsh
• Services to the Community: GM Police Chief Superintendent Peter Mason

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