CAN your team match the achievements of Melksham Volleyball Club and scoop a number of awards in this year's Sporting Heroes competition.

Last year's search for local sporting excellence was a huge success and culminated in an awards evening attended by more than 200 people.

The awards told many success stories, but the night must surely have belonged to Melksham under-18s volleyball team.

The club won women's team of the year, Sue Pierce won coach of the year and Jemma Mellor won club person of the year.

Almost 4,300 people voted for their sporting heroes, an overwhelming response for the competition's first year.

Competition organiser, Wiltshire Times sales and marketing manager Jon Chamberlain, said: "It was a fantastic evening, which was enjoyed by everyone. We had a fantastic reaction from the public."

One of the greatest success stories was Trowbridge schoolboy Christopher Stokes, who won under-16 sportsman of the year, as well as securing a four-year contract at Premiership football club Bolton Wanderers.

The winners of Sporting Heroes 2005:

Sportsman of the year Tim Stevens

Sportswoman of the year Marguerite Alexander

Under-16 sportsman Christopher Stokes

Under-16 sportswoman Rachel Kay

Men's Team of the year Corsham Centre

Women's Team of the year Melksham under-18s volleyball

Under-16 team Trowbridge RFC under-11s

Coach/Trainer/Manager of the year Sue Pierce

Club person of the year Jemma Mellor

  • To make your nomination in this year's Sporting Heroes competition log on to www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/sport/sh2006/