IBF World Welterweight Champion Lewis Crocker was among the headline winners at this year’s GolfNow Belfast Sports Awards.
The ceremony, celebrating the achievements of the city’s athletes, teams, coaches and volunteers, took place at City Hall on Friday evening (17 April). The event brought together representatives from clubs and governing bodies to reflect on another standout year for sport across Belfast.
The gala evening forms part of Belfast’s European City of Sport 2026 programme, delivered by Belfast City Council, GLL and ACES – Worldwide Capitals and Cities of Sport Federation.
Accepting the Sports Personality of the Year (Male) award remotely from his training base in Australia, Crocker paid tribute to Belfast’s strong boxing community and the people who supported him throughout his journey. He highlighted how much the recognition meant to him, reflected on his progression from boxing in Sandy Row to competing at the highest level, and acknowledged that his success has been built on the dedication and support of coaches, volunteers and clubs across the city.
Also recognised on the night was Caitlin Fryers of Immaculata Boxing Club, who was named Sports Personality of the Year (Female). Her award follows recent success at the prestigious Stranja tournament – Europe’s oldest boxing competition – and comes ahead of this summer’s Commonwealth Games.
Two further athletes were inducted into Belfast City Council’s Sporting Hall of Fame: Arlene Boyles of Pegasus Hockey Club and, posthumously, Kevin Morgan of Olympian Triathlon Club.
Other award winners included:
- Pathways to Club (sponsored by Active Belfast): Jordan Smith (Savage Martial Arts)
- Healthy Lifestyle (sponsored by Active Belfast): Jim McGlinchey (Shaftesbury Healthy Living Centre and Brain Injury Matters)
- Young Aspiring Coach of the Year (sponsored by GLL): Jordan McKeown (Hawarden Tennis Club)
- Senior Coaches of the Year (sponsored by GLL): Martin Lindsay (Immaculata Boxing Club) and Phil Gunning (Belfast Trojans)
- Female Coach of the Year (sponsored by GLL): Claire Dowdall (Queen’s University Camogie Club)
- Disability Coach of the Year (sponsored by GLL): David McKay (Malone Tornadoes Mixed Ability Rugby Club)
- Volunteer of the Year (sponsored by Belfast City Council): Jonathan McClelland (Berlin Swifts and Swiftettes)
- Junior Team of the Year (sponsored by GolfNow): North Belfast Harriers Athletics Club
- Senior Team of the Year (sponsored by GolfNow): Phoenix Basketball Club
- Young Athletes of the Year (sponsored by Sports Medicine NI): Chester Enriquez (Origin Gymnastics Club) and Yeva Gavrylova (Cheol Taekwondo Academy)
- Disability Athletes of the Year (sponsored by Commonwealth Games NI): James MacSorley and Katie Morrow
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