Published Monday, 14th April 2025
The borough’s finest sporting talent took centre stage on Friday 11 April at the Reigate & Banstead Sports Awards 2025, held at Reigate Manor.
The annual awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of athletes, coaches, volunteers and clubs from across the borough. They shine a spotlight on those whose dedication and passion help sport and physical activity to thrive in the community—whether through competition, coaching, or behind the scenes support.
This year’s very worthy winners in the eleven categories are:
- Changing Lives Award – Jerry O’Leary, Redhill Football Club
- Club of the Year – Old Reigatians RFC
- Coach of the Year – Sean Reynolds, Fuzion Dojo
- Inclusive Sport Award – East Surrey Hawks Football Club
- Junior Team of the Year – Banstead Cricket Club Girls U13 team
- Senior Citizen – Bill Early, Banstead Cricket Club
- Sports Person of the Year – Melissa Jones, Max Force Trampolining
- Team of the Year – Banstead Cricket Club Womens 1st XI
- Volunteer of the Year – Tony Stone, Chipstead Football Club
- Young Sports Person of the Year – Raegan O’Donnell, Horley United U14 team
- Young Volunteer of the Year – Aydan Wright, South Park Football Club
Speaking shortly after the awards, Cllr Nadean Moses, Executive Member Sustainability and Leisure said: “The Sports Awards are about more than competition—they’re about community, commitment, and the power of sport to change lives. Every nominee has played a role in making Reigate & Banstead a healthier, more active place to live. Congratulations to our winners and heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributes to sport in our borough.
“We’re also incredibly grateful to our sponsors for helping make these awards possible. Your support allows us to celebrate the people who give so much to their clubs, teams and communities.”
The special event, held for the first time at Reigate Manor, was attended by shortlisted finalists, their nominees and guests, the Mayor of Reigate & Banstead and the award sponsors.
From a competitive field of more than 150 nominations, the 2025 winners included U14 footballer, Raegan O’Donnell, who is the only female player in her league and has been signed by Brighton & Hove Albion FC; a trampoline gymnast competing at a national level, Melissa Jones; and Bill Early, a cricketeer continuing to play for a sixth decade.
The winning teams were Banstead Cricket Club, which picked up 
the awards for Team of the Year (Womens 1st XI) and Junior Team of the Year (Girls U13 team); and Old Reigatians RFC which collected the trophy for Club of the Year.
Also celebrated for their commitment to community sport were the coaches and volunteers supporting from the sidelines. Volunteer of the Year, Tony Stone, is out in all weathers every Saturday and taking on multiple roles at Chipstead Football Club; Sean Reynolds helps his martial arts students discover they can achieve more than they could ever imagine; and Aydan Wright, winner of the Young Volunteer of the Year, is a player and referee who recently stepped up to coach the U15 team at South Park FC.
Jerry O’Leary, winner of the Changing Lives award and Chairman of Redhill FC, has been transforming lives through football by running free community sessions in Redhill and Whitebushes. He said: “This is a team effort and it’s about getting kids playing who might have missed out somewhere along the way. We’ve got kids who’ve never played football before that love coming along – boys and girls, aged nine to 14. They enjoy their camaraderie, the socialisation and are proud that they’ve become part of a club. Sport changes lives and I think kids just want the opportunity to get involved.”
The Mayor of Reigate & Banstead, Cllr Eddy Humphreys presented the Inclusive Sport Award to East Surrey Hawks Football Club. This Reigate-based club provides a safe, nurturing and fun environment for disabled children from across the county to learn football and life skills.
The awards were supported by a number of local organisations and businesses, including Connick Tree Care, GLL, PM Active, Reigate & Banstead Sports Council, Reigate Priory Cricket Club, RLM Locksmiths, Surrey Playing Fields and Reigate & Banstead Borough Council.
Nominations opened in December 2024, with shortlisting taking place in February. Details about how to nominate for the 2026 awards will be released in the autumn and you can find out more about the sports awards at www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/sports-awards.
More photos from the awards event can be found on our Flickr album - R&B Sports Awards 25. Photo credits: Jake Peet Photography