As usual, PembrokeshireSport.co.uk  has been the leading light in telling our regular readers all about this wonderful sporting event, which is already anticipating a 20th Anniversary in 2026 – and we felt it would be a nice touch to end our coverage with the thoughts of a wide range of people who were there on the night.
 
 
 
 

 1.  Matthew Freeman (Manager, Sport Pembrokeshire):
 
Once again, the Sport Pembrokeshire Awards highlighted how deeply sport and physical activity are woven into the fabric of our county. The evening showcased not only outstanding performances but also the incredible contributions to community sport. Shortlisting the final three in some categories—particularly the U16 Girls and U16 Boys—was extremely challenging given the level of talent. It was also wonderful to celebrate the wider impact of sport through the Special Award and the Chairman’s Award. The recipients of the Chairman’s Award truly embodied resilience and overcame adversity, making them worthy winners.
 
 
 


 
 
 
2. Ceri Coleman-Phillips (Awards Co-Host):
 
It was again an honour and a privilege to play a small part in the Pembrokeshire Sport Awards. They’ve been going now for 19 years and there’s very few that I have missed. They always leave me feeling inspired and incredibly proud to be from Pembrokeshire. We are a county that continuously punches above its weight in sporting achievement, and this year was no exception.
 
I was particularly delighted to see Simon Davies win the lifetime achievement, given my affection for Solva AFC. Everyone that makes it to the stage as a finalist is a winner in my eyes; congratulations to them and to everyone who works so tirelessly behind the scenes. I’m already looking for forward to the 20th anniversary.
 
 
 
 



 
 3. Alan Jones (Sports Awards Co-Ordinator):
 
For nineteen years, the Sport Pembrokeshire Awards have recognised our local sporting heroes.
Each nomination that is submitted stands as a testament to Pembrokeshire’s ongoing passion and commitment to sport.
From rising stars to lifelong champions, young volunteers to unsung heroes … every journey inspires the next.
I like to think that our sporting communities, whether they are towns or villages,  grow stronger when their achievements are recognised at the Sport Pembrokeshire Awards.
Year after year, the quality never ceases to amaze and Pembrokeshire definitely punches well above its weight!
We look forward to the 20^th year in 2026.
 
 
 
 






 
 
4. Stephen Thornton (Valero Public Affairs Manager of Valero, one of the main sponsors)
 
I regard it as an honour to be asked to welcome everyone to such a fantastic event. The awards represent the best in Pembrokeshire Sport and every nominee fully deserved an award by demonstrating excellence in their field.
Valero is delighted to be a main sponsor of these awards!
 
 
 
 










 
5. Diane Davies (Winner with Milford Haven Hockey Club):
 
Winning a team award was brilliant in our 50^th year, 47 of which I have been playing and as a previous winner of the ‘Unsung Hero’ award. We were just delighted to be nominated and reaching the final three – with first place as the icing on our cake as we attended what was another brilliant evening of sport.
It recognises how well the club has grown so much, with five-year-olds coming to have fun and then right through our junior sections, where the coaches are members of our senior teams who have qualified so there is a real ‘Family Feel’ about our efforts. We have also started a second team and we manage to cope with all the travel across South Wales – and the girls will never forget this special visit to Folly Farm.
 
 





 

 
6. Fraser Watson (Judges’ Panel Member):
 
It was another awards’ night that proved a huge success. The attendance, and number of nominations, said everything and it was nice to see how humbled Simon Davies was to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Despite everything he's achieved in football, you could see what coming home to be recognised meant to him. It perfectly summed up what the night has always succeeded in achieving.
 
 
 
 









7. Lois Hilling (Sports Development Officer & Trophy Presentation):
 
The 2025 Sport Pembrokeshire Awards have once again highlighted the incredible dedication of our volunteers, the passion of our participants, and the outstanding achievements of all our finalists. Each year the standard rises, and this year has been truly inspiring. I’d like to congratulate everyone involved for making these awards such a success. We are already looking forward to the 2026 awards, which will mark 20 years of celebrating sporting excellence across Pembrokeshire, a milestone we can all be proud of.
 
 
 









8. Cris Tomos (Co-Host):
 
It was such an inspirational evening, and I was proud to be one of the hosts for the 19th annual Pembrokeshire Sports Awards. 
So much hard work had gone into arranging the slick and professional event, and then this just highlighted the amazing achievements of those nominated.
Next year it will be the 20th anniversary of the sports awards, and when looking back at all those nominated and shortlisted, it is such a tribute to all the families, individuals, coaches and communities that support grassroots sport
 
 
 







 
9. Gordon Thomas  (PembrokeshireSport.co.uk):
 
I was lucky enough to be at the inaugural Sport Pembrokeshire Awards’ evening and I can still recall the buzz afterwards at the way the event was superbly organised.
Since then ,the number of nominations have grown tremendously but a major change has been the wide range of sporting activities that now have worthy candidates nominated, a few of which weren’t even known about in our county. Ben Field and now Matthew Freeman have shown total commitment as managers of Sport Pembrokeshire, and I salute them and their team, especially Allan Jones, who has been the excellent co-ordinator all that time, and Lois Hilling for her total support as well.
I’m sure that we are the envy of other counties for the quality and are lucky to have had amazing support from Folly Farm as the perfect venue!
 
 
 
 







 
 
10. Toby Ellis (Owner, Pure West Radio, a principal sponsor of the event):
 
We are delighted to be involved in the event and interview all the participants and feature their wonderful achievements on our Breakfast Special shows, as well as with Ben Stone, Gordon Thomas and Fraser Watson on the Monday Night Sports Show. We also enjoy a shared coverage with Bill Carne and Gordon at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk – and it is an honour to highlight the total dedication and much practice needed to achieve such fantastic levels, not only locally but internationally as well.
“It is also a humbling experience to see great support from family, friends and clubs for all the good stuff going o and we can’t wait for next year’s special event!
 
 





 
 

11. Ceri Morgan – Station Hire, Haverfordwest (A regular sponsor):
 
I first attended the sports awards about 16 years ago, when I was Hon Sec of Merlins Bridge and we received an award – and I was gob-smacked about the whole evening: the wide range of sports and the successes highlighted, the crowd involvement and the way it was organised.
I have been a regular at the award evenings ever since and when the chance came to become a sponsor I was delighted because we at Station Hire want to promote sport in Pembrokeshire and we fervently believe there is no better way to do it!
 

 
 
 
 
 
12. Jo Rees-Wigmore (Parent of award winner Ned):
 
I can honestly say that Sport Pembrokeshire Awards night is a special event that fills my heart with deep joy! To be amongst so many dedicated athletes from across the county and to hear their stories is both humbling and inspiring! This simply is Pembrokeshire at its best, producing world-class sportsmen and women. I would like to thank all those who work tirelessly each year to deliver this special evening at such a wonderful venue as Folly Farm - and to the sponsors who make it possible.
 
 






 
 
 
 13. Simon Davies (Lifetime Achievement award winner):
 
Firstly, I was so impressed by all the other winners and nominees and it was great to see how sport in Pembrokeshire is still thriving.
I was really proud and honoured to receive the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award. It has always meant a lot to me to be able to represent Pembrokeshire and it was an evening I won’t forget.
“I can only say thank you to the organisers and to everyone who put on this memorable evening.
 
 
 
 
 
 









14. Bill Carne (Pembrokeshire Sport.co.uk):
 
I have been privileged to attend all 19 Sports Award Evenings, the first 17 as co-host and the last two as an enthralled member of the packed audience which always enhances the atmosphere and helps to make it the very special occasion it is.
It is the envy of loads of other authorities who cannot match the occasion: the wonderful venue that is Folly Farm (although I missed the sausage and chips afterwards), the fantastic organisation from Sport Pembrokeshire that ensures its success, led by Matt Freenman and Alan Jones – and. most importantly, the amazing nominations which time and again highlight the fact that Pembrokeshire sport punches well above its weight!
Congratulations to all who attended Award Evening No 20 – and here’s to the 20^th anniversary in November 2026!