Pictured receiving their awards with the Chairman of Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh, Jimmy Walker and Decathlon Belfast, Marketing and Event Manager, Matt Ferguson are; David Barkley from Downshire Rifle Club who won the combined UK National Benchrest Championship shot over two ranges and is currently National Champion, Diane Kirby from Meteor Water Ski Club who won the IWWF European and Africa 65+ Championships, Freddie Simmons from Lisburn BMX Club who was named U8 Irish BMX National Champion and Madison Moore and Emma Holmes from Dempsey Andrews Ice Skating Academy who both were awarded first place podium positions at the Skate Ayrshire Open and are now the highest ranked ice skaters from Northern Ireland in the British Ice Skating National rankings for their age group and standard.

 Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh kicks off the New Year celebrating local sporting talent following the announcement of its Sports Personality of the Month for the current sporting season.

Sponsored by Decathlon, the awards recognise the achievements and dedication of sporting stars in the Lisburn & Castlereagh area. The winners are selected each month by the Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh Committee and a £100 voucher is awarded to each successful winner.

This round of winners included David Barkley from Downshire Rifle Club who won the combined UK National Benchrest Championship shot over two ranges and is currently National Champion, Diane Kirby from Meteor Water Ski Club who won the IWWF European and Africa 65+ Championships, Freddie Simmons from Lisburn BMX Club who was named U8 Irish BMX National Champion and finally Madison Moore and Emma Holmes from Dempsey Andrews Ice Skating Academy who both were awarded first place podium positions at the Skate Ayrshire Open and are now the highest ranked ice skaters from Northern Ireland in the British Ice Skating National rankings for their age group and standard.

Chairman of Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh, Jimmy Walker said, “The Sports Personality of the Month was introduced to enable us to publicly acknowledge the sporting achievements of young people within the Lisburn and Castlereagh area. It also allows us to recognise the continuous hard work, hours of endless training and the admirable dedication required in order to excel at the very highest.  I extend my congratulations to everyone on their accomplishments and I hope their success will inspire others to get involved in sport or represent their club at competitive level.

“Finally I would like to thank Decathlon for their continuous support and for kindly sponsoring the initiative. I would warmly invite other clubs to make the time to nominate an individual who has excelled in their sport.”

Alderman James Tinsley, Chairman of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee said: “It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh’s Sports Personality of the Month Award Winners and commend them all for their commitment and hard work in pursuit of excellence.  I am delighted that the Council continues to play their part in supporting this brilliant initiative that not only recognises the success of talented athletes within the area but also enables participants to aim high and excel within their chosen sport.

“I would like to thank Decathlon for sponsoring the Sports Personality of the Month Award and helping to acknowledge the achievements of so many sports people from Lisburn & Castlereagh.”

Matt Ferguson, Marketing and Event Manager, Decathlon Belfast, "We are proud to support such a great initiative and congratulate all current winners.  Our Decathlon motto is to make sport accessible for the many, and this initiative helps us to achieve that.  We also believe that sporting success should be celebrated, and what better way to do this than to offer an £100 gift voucher to the world's largest sports retailer.  We encourage other Clubs to enter and want to thank Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council for their great work."

Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh is a local sports committee comprised of representatives from local sports clubs within the council area and is financially assisted by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council. For further details on Sports Personality of the Month, please email Kevin Madden at kevin.madden@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk.