The annual RAF Sport Awards celebrated another year of incredible achievements by individuals, teams, official, and administrators.
Air Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, the Deputy Commander Capability and president of three RAF Sport Associations, presented the awards during a ceremony at Halton House, Buckinghamshire.
King's Colour Squadron Gunner and Bobsleigh Olympian Lance Corporal Shanwayne Stephens earned the Sportsman of the Year award, following his appearance at the Beijing Olympics 2020; making history piloting the Jamaican Bobsleigh team back to the competition for the first time in two decades.
The support from the RAF has been fantastic, they have backed me with everything I needed to make this such a success. This award proves that hard work and determination pay off, and it also shows how far the full support of the RAF got me within my sport.
Lance Corporal Shanwayne Stephens
Sportswoman of the Year was deservedly awarded to Flying Officer Sarah Bonar. She plays for RAF Woman’s Rugby and the Harlequins Women’s team, while also earning caps for Scotland with a recent performance at the Women's Rugby World Cup 2022.
The RAF support has out me in a position to star at a rugby world cup, and I will be doing my absolute best to make everyone proud during my time here at the World Cup. Winning this award is amazing news.
Flying Officer Sarah Bonar
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Both Shanwayne and Sarah are supported by the RAF Elite Athlete Scheme, giving leave of absence and access to kit, equipment, and training facilities alongside a service career.
Further awards were given to individuals going above and beyond in the delivery of sport; unsung heroes deserving of recognition.
Corporal Lauren Impey was awarded Sports Coach / Official of the Year. She has accomplished incredible feats as a RAF Football referee and continues to impress at the highest level along an impressive sporting career.
Sergeant Robert Phair won the Sports Administrator of the Year, for being an inspirational team manager dedicated to the RAF Rugby Union. He has made a huge difference for hundreds of service personnel and continue to show great commitment to the sport.
Sports Article of the Year went to Active Magazine, a RAF publication on all kind of sporting achievements and related activities.
The Lifetime Achievement Awards recognise worthy winners for their dedication over a lengthy period; not only improving the sport, but assisting the next generation of rising star athletes.
Wing Commander Roy Brunning has supported RAF Triathlon for over thirty years, seeing great success over his racing career.
Air Commodore Chris Egan has given unparalleled leadership and oversight of RAF and UK Armed Forces Badminton over the last quarter century.
Flight Lieutenant Liam Perry is Chairman of Cosford Kart Club and has selflessly promoted RAF Karting for over 20 years. Liam has provided thousands of Phase 2 trainees the opportunity to discover karting and develop valuable skills transferable to their RAF career.
Warrant Officer Tony Stead champions Table Tennis as an inclusive sport and has introduced it to Service Personnel all over the world. He has represented the RAF at Inter-Services for the last 28 years and been part of the winning team over 20 times.
An award for the most perseverant, hard work and dedicated team was given to the RAF Athletics Ladies’ Cross Country Team. They claimed back the Sports Team Award for the first time since 1988, following a commendable victory against the Army and Navy at Inter-Services Cross Country.
Finally, the RAF Central Fund Station Award recognises the best Station or Unit initiative that encourages and enables others to get physically active. As a new category introduced this year, RAF Coningsby are the first to claim the title.
The stations' Coningsby Connected programme offers support services for a holistic Health and Wellbeing approach to fitness, while the Project DELAPSUS provides mobile gyms to frontline personnel and Physical Training instructors using Astra funding.
Winners
- Sportsman of the Year - Lance Corporal Shanwayne Stephen
- Sportswoman of the Year - Flying Officer Sarah Bonar
- Sports Coach / Official of the Year - Corporal Lauren Impey
- Sports Administrator of the Year - Sergeant Robert Phair
- Sports Article of the Year - Active Magazine
- Lifetime Achievement Awards:
- 1. Wing Commander Roy Brunning – RAF Triathlon
- 2. Air Commadore Chris Egan – RAF and UKAF Badminton
- 3. Flight Lieutenant Liam Perry – RAF Karting
- 4. Warrant Officer Tony Stead – RAF Table Tennis.
- Sports Team of the Year – RAF Athletics Ladies’ Cross Country Team
- RAF Central Fund Station Sports Award - RAF Coningsby
