 ONE of the hottest young sporting talents around, footballer John Paul Kissock, was named Young Sports Personality of the Year at the City of Liverpool Annual Sports Awards evening staged at Liverpool Town Hall and supported by Capita. As the fifteen-year-old and Everton Academy player stepped forward to receive the award from councillor Tina Gould, he graciously accepted the applause and cheers from an audience that included most of the young gifted sportsmen and women in the city. "I did not have a clue I was getting the award," said the England Under-16 International. "I was made up and really buzzing. It has been a fantastic year. I played for Everton in the Youth Cup, went to Italy and France with England and now getting this award." In his moment of triumph the Archbishop Beck student did not forget those who had helped him along the way. He continued: "I have a lot of people to thank for my development. My Mum, Dad, and brother Lee. Ray Hall, Neil Dewsnip and Gary Ablett from Everton and Paul Crawford, a learning mentor from school." Helping to distribute more than 70 individual and team awards were a host of sporting celebrities incuding double Olympic boxing gold medallist Mario Kindelman, local Olympians Beth Tweddle and Stephen Parry and a centre-back partnership to dream about of Phil Thompson and Derek Mountfield. Three other major awards were presented on the evening. City of Liverpool Gymnastic coach Sarah Atwell was named Coach of the Year. Alec McGowan received the Club of the Year Award on behalf of the Rotunda Boxing Club. The prestigious Stan Owen Trophy, which recognises the achievements of an individual who has dedicated their life to sport, went to Jean Arnold for services to school sport and hockey. The spotlight also fell on six members of the unique Liverpool City Council Elite Sporting Scholarship Scheme. Kevin Thompson, Nathan Brough, Stephen Smith, Neil Perkins, Joe Selkirk and Anthony Bellew all received awards. Liverpool City Council's executive member for leisure, councillor Warren Bradley, said: "It has been another remarkable year for the city's outstanding sportsmen and women. "Few other cities could host an evening like this to celebrate the outstanding sporting achievements we have enjoyed in the last twelve months. "These successes are a tribute to the dedication of our athletes and sports clubs and testament to the city's commitment to developing sport in Liverpool." Roll of honour >>> | 
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