SEVEN more sporting champions have entered the arena in our Community Pride Awards, as we continue to sort through a flurry of last-minute entries.

Among the contenders is 15-year-old Jack Anderson, a Year 10 pupil at Millthorpe School, who has recently been selected for England’s Under-16 rugby league squad.

Jack, who used to play for York Acorns and now plays for the Shaw Cross Sharks in Dewsbury, also helps out at the Acorn Tagability Club, which offers coaching sessions for young people with learning disabilities.

His PE teacher, Sarah Watts, who nominated him for the Sporting Hero accolade of our awards scheme, said: “Jack’s passion for the sport is an inspiration for everyone.”

Allan Robertshaw, who has played more than 1,000 games for York RUFC and also served on the club’s management team for more than 20 years, is another contender for the Sporting Hero award, which is sponsored by York Racecourse.

He was nominated by the club’s chairman, Niall Barry, who described Allan as York RUFC’s “heartbeat”.

He said: “He is heralded among the members, supporters and opposition alike as the voice of York RUFC – there won’t be another Allan Robertshaw.”

Also in contention is Phil Sanderson, a stalwart of Hamilton Panthers Football Club, who was nominated by his daughter, Laura.

Laura said his passion and commitment had played a vital role in the club’s successes, from the under-fives to senior teams, over the past 20 years.

She said: “As well as spending many long hours arranging fixtures, marking pitches, recruiting players and organising fundraisers, he has also created a community at the club. He always welcomes people of all ages with a smile and open arms.”

Another contender is mum-of-two Bev Langan, captain of York All Blacks Ladies ARLC, who has been nominated by her father, Kevin. Bev, who had her first child when she was 14, but still went on to finish school and qualify as a dental assistant, has also played for Great Britain’s women’s rugby league team and finds time to coach younger children.

Meanwhile, Margaret Long and Janet Ivel have been nominated by Caroline England, who praised the pair for setting up the York and District Youth Netball League six years ago.

Caroline said: “I can’t thank Margaret and Janet enough for their endless hours of dedication to the sport, developing, supporting and coaching our young people.

“My daughter would never have had the confidence to play netball out of school because she never thought she was good enough, but thanks to Margaret and Janet, the league gives everyone a chance.”

Finally, 86-year-old Harold Wood has been nominated for nearly 40 years of unbroken service as a committee member of Copmanthorpe Recreation Centre.

The endless tasks he has undertaken include maintaining the sports field and children’s playground, repairing the tennis court fencing, cleaning the changing rooms, laying the flag paths, working behind the bar, ordering diesel for the tractor, repainting the wooden buildings and planting trees and bushes. He has also been involved with fundraising and supervised a team of unemployed youths when they built the centre’s bowling green.