BMX trailblazer Kieran Reilly, snooker star Gary Wilson and Newcastle United’s midfield sensation Lewis Miley were amongst the big winners as North East sporting legends celebrated another huge year for the region.

Sport Newcastle’s annual Awards Dinner, held at the city’s Civic Centre, recognised elite success and the stars of the future, as proven world class performers mixed with the ones to watch.

Olympic silver medallist Reilly, World Championship semi-finalist Wilson and England Under 21 international Miley — speaking via a video link due to his national team commitments — set the tone at one of the region’s most prestigious black tie events.

And the evening’s Rising Stars spanned sports from golf to basketball and squash to kickboxing.

“I’m honoured to have won this year’s Sport Newcastle Sporting Success Of The Year award,” said Reilly after the Newcastle-born, Gateshead-raised trickster captured the imagination of the Paris crowd with a series of daredevil Olympic routines earlier this year.

“I’m proud of where I’m from and proud to receive this award for a second time.

After Wilson scoped the Wilkinson Sword for Lifetime Achievement, the two-tine Scottish Open champion insisted there was plenty more to come 20 years into a rollercoaster career.

One of Ronnie O’Sullivan’s favourite snooker stars told a packed room: “I'm only 39! I still want to get better. I still want to win the World Championship one day.”

Miley became a three-time Sport Newcastle winner after bursting onto the Magpies’ first team scene last season.

And after bagging a first Under 21 call-up earlier this month, the versatile midfielder sent a poignant video message revealing his deep affinity to a city and a football club close to his heart.

Gateshead Football Club celebrated the Team Of The Year award after bagging a first major trophy at Wembley and bouncing back from the disappointment of missing out on last season's playoffs.

And Bob Aynsley held the Civic Centre in the palm of his hand as he calmly described his own journey from stabbing victim and former squash player to one of the country’s most talked about tacticians.

A familiar face at the Northern Squash Club spoke of his pride at lifting Sport Newcastle’s prestigious Coaching Award and talked about the transformative power of sport.

British para athlete and Paris 2024 bronze medallist Anna Nicholson picked up her Outstanding Achievement award from friend and idol Stephen Miller — the newly retired king of club throwing.

The Wor Jackie Award went to Newcastle United Academy player Aidan Harris and the Jack Hixon Award went to Magpies’ midfielder Elysia Boddy. Both awards were presented by former United goalkeeper and Academy chief Steve Harper.

There was also an Outstanding Contribution to North East Sport award made to Wor Flags for their voluntary work and contribution to sport in the region and their fan-led funded work — creating flags at sporting events for fans and teams across the North East.

Badminton player Lucy Dodds, from Tyneside Badminton Association, became the latest Sport Newcastle Platinum award winner.  Lucy will receive an annual grant of £1,500 over the next three years to support with her expenses and costs towards equipment and furthering her sporting career.

Rising Stars were awarded grants of £250 each and included: Eli Adams (High Jump), Evelyn Hallissey (Swimming), Louisa Hamilton (Golf), Jack Helm (Gymnastics), Patrick Hogg (Rugby Union), Etienne Maughan (Hurdles), Francis Ogbolu (Basketball), Sadie Parker (Long Jump), Duncan Rutherford (Squash), Fleur Wilson (Kickboxing).

Mike Booth, Sport Newcastle’s vice chair, said, “Our Rising Stars are already performing at an exceptionally high standard. All compete nationally and several have represented their country at world level.

“Sport Newcastle is proud to be able to support these talented young athletes at the early stage of their sporting career.

“Our major award winners reflect the region's success achieved across a diverse range of female and male sports.

“With the continued and on-going support of the North East business community this augurs well for further sporting success and development in the future."

The awards evening was supported by headline sponsors Tier One Capital, SOS Group and GLL Sports Foundation.

The event sponsors included Ward Hadaway, Central Employment, Graphic Packaging Int, JC Events and Wonderstuff. 

Sport Newcastle is a voluntary organisation that was established in 1968 to promote and develop sport in Newcastle and the surrounding areas. The charity supports more than 40 different sports and provides grants, awards and scholarships to talented athletes, coaches and clubs. 

The charity also recognises and celebrates the achievements of local sporting heroes through its annual dinner and hall of fame. Patrons of the charity include Alan Shearer CBE, Sir John Hall, Jonathan Edwards CBE and Sarah Hunter CBE.

All images by Ian Horrocks