A referee’s lifetime devotion to local football, a thriving kickboxing club and a school with platinum sporting credentials were among the winners at the Active Burnley Awards organised and run by Burnley Leisure and Culture (BLC).
The annual celebration pays tribute to those who show dedication at a range of sporting, health, and wellbeing activities at all levels, and those who work tirelessly to support individuals or community clubs, for the love of the sport or their community.
A total of 12 winners were announced in a ceremony at Burnley Mechanics hosted by former England goalkeeper turned TV pundit, Rachel Brown-Finnis.
Burnley-born Rachel won 82 caps for England in a stellar career that saw her collect a Women’s FA Cup winners’ medal, play in the Women’s Super League (WSL) for Liverpool Women and Everton Ladies, and represent Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics.
All the Burnley winners will now go forward to the Active Lancashire Awards, where they will pit their achievements against those chosen from similar award scheme throughout the county.
The awards, which saw three Burnley winners named best in Lancashire last year, will be held at Ewood Park, Blackburn, on Friday, November 17.
The winners of the 2023 Active Burnley Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award – Stuart Nicolson
The climax of the evening was the Lifetime Achievement Award for someone who has shown a commitment of at least 20 years to sport and active lifestyles, won by football referee Stuart, who has been involved in the game at all levels for more than 60 years.
Over the decades, he progressed his career from officiating at Football League Youth Lions Under-21s matches from 1985 until recently.
His claim to fame includes refereeing a Lancashire Youth League game - Manchester United vs Bury - when he made it into the tabloid press for cautioning Sir Alex Ferguson for dissent.
Stuart has refereed in the Lancashire Amateur League for more than 40 years, and in 2018 was appointed LAL president.
He has also been president of the Burnley Referees’ Association, manager of Brunlea Juniors and the fourth official at Burnley FC’s Turf Moor ground many times, and is well known for being an avid Burnley FC fan.
Young Achiever of the Year – Oliwia Kaczmarek
Oliwia has been at the Dragons Kickboxing Club for the last eight years. She trains four times a week and now, at the age of 16, competes at the sport’s highest level and has more than 100 fights to her name.
She is the current British WKO -55kg full contact kickboxing champion as well as WKA, ISKA, AFSO, and WFMC champion in her weight division.
During an unbeaten 2022, Oliwia won English, British, European, and World open tournaments.
Rising Star – Ritchie Riley
Richie is a talented seven-year-old golfer already competing at international level, having recently taken part in the World Junior Golf Championships in Portugal where he came tied-fifth.
Ritchie is enjoying a superb 2023: he is the current leader of the Robert Rock Junior Tour Order of Merit; he’s won all of the first four junior majors of the year, including becoming the British Masters champion, held at The Belfry, along with qualifying for the World Junior Golf Championship again in February 2024.
He has also raised more than £3,000 for Pendleside Hospice at various events over the past 12 months.
Club of the Year – Dragons Kickboxing Club
Volunteer of the Year – Awais Javid
Coach/Instructor of the Year – Steven Wong
Individual Contribution to Active Communities – Noor Miah
Contribution to Active Communities – Ejaz Hussain, Burnley Cricket League
Health and Wellbeing Award – Bea Foster
Burnley Together Partnership Award – Burnley Linked
Primary School of the Year – Cherry Fold Community Primary School
Active Workplace of the Year Award - Birchall Foodservice
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here