CWMBRAN Netball Club were the big winners at the first Torfaen Sporting Heroes awards as they were named Club of the Year.

The club has more than 200 members across the age groups ranging from one to 15-years-old, having started off in 2005 with just five players and a coach.

Vicki Randall, a coach at the club, said that the award came as a shock.

“It was a surprise,” she said. “We were nominated alongside 10 or 12 other clubs.

“To win club of the year is great, it’s a fantastic accolade to have.

“Quite a few of the girls who play for us volunteer as coaches as well.

“We’ve got about 15 coaches who are under 18. We try to support them by helping them pay for their coaching training.”

“Without those youngsters who volunteer, we wouldn’t be able to run the club, so this is great to recognise the work they have done.”

Jonathan Hanratty picked up the Women/Girls Coach of the Year award for his work with Tranch Under 13s.

He said that the nomination came as a complete surprise.

“I received a phone call in November congratulating me on being nominated,” he explained. “I was delighted to just be nominated.

“I’ve only been doing this for 18 months. We have taken a group of girls, some who have barely played football before, and we are now third in the league, above Cardiff City.

“It was like being at the Oscars. When they were announcing the winner, all of a sudden a camera turned to me.

“It was really great for the club to get their name out there. It also shows how far women’s and girls’ football has come.

“I’d like to thank my assistant Claire Leek, my goalkeeping coach Lee Jackson and the club's committee, who have all been really helpful.”

Sarah Kamrowski, who runs the Boogie Bounce trampoline exercise courses in Pontypool and Blaenavon, was nominated for two awards.

She said: “I was so happy to be nominated, and it was an honour to be among such professionals.

“I hadn’t realised how much diversity there was in sport in the area – it’s great.”

The full list of winners can be seen by searching Torfaen Leisure Trust on Facebook.