The MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Andrew Jones, has been named as a Sport and Recreation Alliance Sports Parliamentarian of the Year for 2012.
Andrew was one of eleven MPs and peers who were celebrated at an awards ceremony at the House of Commons hosted by the Sport and Recreation Alliance.
The award was established by the Alliance to recognise the work parliamentarians have been doing for the sport and recreation sector.
Andrew was nominated by North Yorkshire Sport in recognition of the support he has given over the last twelve months.
David Watson, Executive Director of North Yorkshire Sport, said:
Andrew’s energy and enthusiasm in supporting local grassroots sport is significant and extremely valuable both to his constituency and the wider north Yorkshire community as we strive to deliver the legacy from the 2012 Games.
The chair of the awarding panel, Brigid Simmonds OBE, said:
It is clear that Andrew has made an immensely valuable contribution to the sport and recreation sector, and we are pleased to have the chance to pay tribute to his hard work, commitment and dynamism.
Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew MBE, who presented the award, said:
I was extremely impressed by the efforts of all the nominees. Political support for the sport sector is essential to the delivery of a long-term sporting legacy from London 2012, and I hope that passionate and hardworking parliamentarians like Andrew will be an inspiration to their colleagues.
Andy Reed, chair of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, said:
After the wonderful year of sport we have had it is important to remember all the hard work that the sector puts in behind the scenes. National governing bodies can’t do this alone, and the Sport and Recreation Alliance is extremely grateful to Andrew for the support he has given.
Andrew said:
I am delighted to have been named a Sports Parliamentarian of the Year, alongside other MPs who do so much for sport in their own constituencies.
I have always been passionate about sport, I am a long-standing member of Yorkshire and Lords Cricket Clubs, and I am also a keen supporter of clubs in my constituency.
I always enjoy reading the sports pages in the Harrogate Advertiser to see what is going on locally.
I was proud to watch Harrogate Town this week in their FA Cup second round match against Hastings and I wish them the best of luck in the replay match.
There are an enormous number of volunteers who work to support sport in our area and they have been kind to involve me in there activities which is why I was nominated for this award.
I would like to thank them for involving me and pledge my continuing support to them.
