Heidi Nevin was named Sports Personality of the Year at The Mill in Rayleigh, and Graham Gooch helped present the 2026 awards. Updated November 2026.

Heidi Nevin was named Sports Personality of the Year at the 2026 Rochford Sports Awards on Tuesday night, with Amanda Dodge highly commended. The ceremony was held at The Mill Arts & Events Centre in Rayleigh, in the district next door to Southend. It honoured people and clubs who have made a lasting difference through sport and physical activity, Rochford District Council said.

Former England cricket captain Graham Gooch OBE was the guest of the evening. He gave a talk about his sporting journey, then helped present the awards.

Rankins Cricket Club appears twice on the list. It won Community Club of the Year and was highly commended for Inclusive Communities.

The winners in full

Award Winner Highly commended
Changing Lives Through Sport and Physical Activity Andy Knight Jack of all Sports
Inclusive Communities Stuart Kimber Rankins Cricket Club
Community Club of the Year Rankins Cricket Club Hawkwell Athletic FC
Young Volunteer Mya Tia Spicer Jacob Nichols
Coach of the Year Tony Rowe Jade Lewis Konig
Unsung Hero Brian Ashton Steven Smith
Special Recognition Award Jon Brown None listed
Young Sports Personality Able Dowell Alfie O’Flynn Roger
Sports Personality of the Year Heidi Nevin Amanda Dodge

“Every person recognised deserves to be proud”

Councillor Simon Wootton BEM JP, Chairman of Rochford District Council, was at the ceremony.

“It was a real privilege to be part of this year’s Rochford Sports Awards and to celebrate so many people who give their time, energy and passion to sport in our district,” he said. “Hearing about the achievements of the nominees and winners was truly inspiring, and it was clear just how much of a difference they make to the lives of others.

“Whether they are competing, coaching, volunteering or working behind the scenes, every person recognised deserves to be proud of what they have achieved. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and highly commended recipients, and thank you for everything you do to support sport and physical activity across the District.”

Who was behind the awards

The Rochford honours are part of the 2026 Brentwood and Rochford Sports Awards, sponsored by Everyone Active. The list above comes from Rochford District Council and covers the Rochford awards.

The council thanked three funders of the event:

  • Everyone Active
  • Find Your Active Brentwood
  • Find Your Active Rochford

Another date for clubs in the district

Clubs on the list may also want to look at the Rawreth Lane pavilion and playing fields in Rayleigh. The council has invited sports clubs, charities and community groups to express an interest in running the site, and the deadline is 14 November 2026.