The finalists in the hotly-anticipated 2009 Sport Pembrokeshire Awards have been announced.

The judging panel has named the finalists in each of the 12 categories. The winners will be declared at a grand presentation ceremony on Friday, November 27th at Folly Farm.

Councillor Rob Lewis, Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Sport, was a member of the judging panel.

“This year has been without doubt the most difficult to judge,” he said.

“The standard of the nominations has been outstanding. It is breathtaking to think there are so many exceptional sports people in our county.”

John Deason, manager of Sport Pembrokeshire, the sports development department of Pembrokeshire County Council, said the awards ceremony would be an opportunity to show appreciation for the many coaches and organisers - as well as for the high level achievers that are a feature of Pembrokeshire’s strong sporting tradition.

He added that Pembrokeshire is leading the way in Wales in the numbers participating in club-based sport.

“The scale of support for these awards reflects the strength of community-based sports clubs across the county, and the huge range of different sports that are played,” he said.

The Sport Pembrokeshire Awards were first held in 2007 and are sponsored by Chevron, the Western Telegraph, Folly Farm and Radio Pembrokeshire. Sport Pembrokeshire Awards 2009 - Finalists Coach of the Year: Jim Buck, Steve Matchett and Robin Withers; Huw Morgan; Amy Yelland.

Female Sporting Achievement: Molly Furnival Doran; Shan Roberts; Samantha Rossiter.

Male Sporting Achievement: Joe Allen; Adam Davies; Luke Llewellin.

Boys (Under-16) Sporting Achievement: Alaric Jones; Harry Owen; Elliot Scotcher.

Girls (Under-16) Sporting Achievement: Bethan Davie; Angharad James; Hannah Lewis; Poppy Lewis.

Disability Sport Award: Colin Bond; Rhys Eynon; Leah Scott; Richard Young.

Junior (Under-16) Disability Sport Award: Emma Cox; Kristian George; Marcus James.

Unsung Hero: Ronnie Beynon; Phil Devonald; Stuart Lewis.

Club Organiser of the Year: Royston Badham; Lynn Delabertouche; Angela Miles.

Team Achievement of the Year: Cresselly CC 1st X1; Tenby Bowling Club; Welsh Gymnastics team members from Pembrokeshire and their coaches.

Junior (Under-16) Team Achievement of the Year: Broad Haven School Gymnastics Team; Crymych RFC Junior Section; Sir Thomas Picton School Girls Hockey Team.

Contribution to School Sport Award: Dean Flood; Brenda Scourfield; Sahana Sekaran.