THE stars and unsung heroes of York were hailed at last night's fourth annual Active York Sports Awards.

More than 200 people attended the ceremony for the popular awards at the University of York's Roger Kirk Centre in Heslington.

The awards are organised by Active York, the city’s sport and active leisure partnership which is working to encourage people to be more active more often, and backed by The Press.

York Press: Active York Sports Awards logo

The 15 award winners included amateur rugby league stalwart Spen Allison, who was presented with the Outstanding Contribution accolade.

BARLA president Allison was nominated for the award by the late Stuart Evans, the winner of the same category a year ago.

The University of York scooped four awards, with rower Stuart Hosie and weightlifter Elspeth Mcleod winning Sportsman of the Year and Sportswoman of the Year respectively.

Softball international Matthew Tomlin was named Student Sportsperson of the Year, while Coach of the Year went to Ian Thomson, who coaches the university's women's rugby union team.

City of York Athletic Club runner Alex Botterill landed the Young Sportsman of the Year accolade and rising York City Rowing Club star Lucy Edmunds was Young Sportswoman of the Year.

Westfield was named Active Primary School and the Active Secondary School award went to Archbishop Holgate's, while the YCFC Foundation Walk With York group won the Active In York award.

2017 Active York Sports Awards winners

Young Sportsman of the Year - Alex Botterill (City of York Athletic Club)

Young Sportswoman of the Year - Lucy Edmunds (York City Rowing Club)

Student Sportsperson of the Year - Matthew Tomlin (University of York Softball)

Coach of the Year - Ian Thomson (University of York Women’s Rugby Union)

Volunteer of the Year - Richard Smith (Run York)

Active Primary School - Westfield Primary School

Active Secondary School - Archbishop Holgate's School

Youth Group Provider - Door 84 Youth Space

Team/Club of the Year - York RUFC Colts

Active In York - YCFC Foundation Walk With York

Outstanding Contribution - Spen Allison (rugby league)

Disabled Sportsperson of the Year - Ben Robinson (table tennis)

Young Disabled Sportsperson of the Year - Antonia Bunyan (goalball)

Sportsman of the Year - Stuart Hosie (University of York Boat Club)

Sportswoman of the Year - Elspeth Mcleod (University of York weightlifting)