TONY Wright was honoured at the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Sports Awards 2015 when he was named Coach of the Year for his work at Kidderminster Tennis Club.

Community sport from across the two counties was celebrated at the annual Herefordshire and Worcestershire Sports Awards at Worcester Warriors’ Sixways Stadium.

Organised by the Sports Partnership Herefordshire and Worcestershire, the winners were unveiled at the event, which was attended by more than 250 amateur and professional sports people, local businesses and dignitaries.

It has been a successful year for Wright, who was runner-up in the LTA AEGON National Awards 2015 in the Children’s Coach of the Year category in June.

He said: “I am thrilled and honoured to win this award, it is fantastic.

“The Coach of the Year award is the highest award for a sports coach in the two counties.”

Guest speaker was badminton Olympic silver medallist Gail Emms MBE who said: “I had a fantastic evening at the sports awards.

“It has been a truly inspirational evening.

“It’s so important to have events like this to celebrate the success and hard work of inspirational people because they get up every morning and help someone get better, help someone learn a new sport and really recognise their passion.

“Without these people, British sport wouldn’t exist.

“Congratulations to all the winners and to all the nominees.

“They all did themselves extremely proud.”