Winner: Frank Stones
Runners Up: Sarah Watts, Poppie Jaram
More than half a century of dedication to a local cricket league meant Frank Stones was named 2011’s Sporting Hero, as the award celebrates outstanding contributions to amateur sport.
But other strong contenders included Millthorpe School PE teacher and professional umpire with England Netball Sarah Watts, whose dedication to her Year 11 pupils’ netball squad took them to a national championship, and tenyear- old squash ace Poppie Jaram, who was adopted from China when she was a baby and is now ranked fifth in England’s under-11 league.
Ultimately, judges were stunned by lifelong cricket enthusiast Frank Stones’ dedication to the sport which has spanned more than 50 years, and started when he played for his local team in his youth, before his career was cut short following a broken ankle.
Frank was elected to the HPH York Vale Cricket League’s management committee in 1957, nominated chairman of the league in 1987 and was given honorary lifelong membership to the league when he retired in 2008.
He said: “It’s just an interesting game really. I wasn’t much good at playing, but my heart was always in it.
“I’ve got a very understanding wife too, she’s accompanied me to games many times, and seemed to enjoy herself.”
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