THERE were no surprises as Andy Priaulx was named as the island’s outstanding sporting performer of 2006. In front of a packed Dave Ferguson Room audience in Beau Sejour last night, Guernsey’s only current world champion was awarded the Guernsey Sports Commission Trophy from special guest, former England rugby player Austin Healey.

The 32-year-old motor racer could not be there as he is currently testing his new car at Brands Hatch for the 2007 season.

His father Graham and wife Jo collected the award on his behalf.

‘It’s very nice to receive it as it’s very important to him,’ said Jo Priaulx.

‘He is always really chuffed when he gets an award.’

Priaulx certainly had a fantastic 2006. He won the FIA World Touring Car Championships with five wins and three pole positions.

It was the second year running that the Sarnian has been crowned WTCC champion having won the European version in 2004. In taking last night’s award, the driver beat off competition from short-listed bowler Nick Donaldson and swimmer Ian Powell.

‘He’s been working six to seven days a week,’ said Graham Priaulx.

‘He’s totally dedicated to his sport. It gives him great pleasure that he is recognised by the people of Guernsey.

‘But he doesn’t do it for recognition. He does it to support his wife and his family.

‘He’s very proud to come from Guernsey.’

The Sir John Loveridge Trophy for the sportsperson making the greatest progress of the year was presented to triathlete Sam Herridge.

2006 was a great year for Herridge as she finished a fantastic 20th at the Commonwealth Games, won a triathlon Grand Prix in Milton Keynes and finished 10th in the London Triathlon.

The award goes some way to the alleviate the disappointment for Herridge when last week she missed out on the Channel Islands Sports Personality of the Year accolade to Jersey sailor Phil Sharp.

Her coach Alan Rowe received the award on her behalf as she is currently in Devon where she is now based at Kelly College so that she can dedicate full-time to her sport.

‘In the last year she has made amazing strides,’ he said.

‘She’s far exceeded what I expected her to do. She is now competing at a world elite level.’

Dale Garland won the Richard Burton Salver for the outstanding individual sporting achievement of the year by a sportsman resident in Guernsey. The Sarnian finished fifth in the decathlon at the Commonwealth Games

The women’s version of the Richard Burton Salver, the Guernsey Brewery Salver, was awarded Ann Bowditch. The cyclist picked up her third consecutive national hill climb title in October.

The island’s 14-year-old tennis star Heather Watson won the award for the outstanding individual sporting achievement of the year for boys or girls aged between 11 and 18 years old, the Lambourne Shield. 2006 was a breakthrough year for Watson with the highlight being winning the under-14 British title.

In the award for teams with more than four competitors, the Guernsey Sports Commission Team Trophy, again it was bowling who were celebrating.

The outfit of Matt Le Ber, Len Le Ber, Geoff Savident, Ian Merrien, Gary Pitschou and Garry Collins qualified to play in the 2008 World Championships when they took care of Spain, Portugal and the Isle of Man at singles, pairs, triples and fours last year.

The Mission Atlantic Ladies Rowing Team and the Guernsey women’s table tennis team were also short-listed.

‘It’s tremendous and I was surprised especially as I thought the rowing ladies were strong,’ said Pitschou.

The Guernsey Sports Commission Small Team Trophy for teams with four competitors and under was presented to Guernsey’s fours bowling side. The team of Paul Merrien, Mac Timms, Roy Queripel and Sid de la Mare were the British Isles champions when they defeated England, Scotland and then Jersey in July’s final.

The PWC under-15 boys hockey squad picked up the under-18 team award, the Beau Sejour Trophy. The Sarnians reached the final of the national cup beating some top English clubs on the way.

‘It’s excellent news,’ said the team’s coach Nick Mahy.

‘They worked really hard during the season and put some excellent performances together to beat some of the best clubs in the country. It’s unbelievable really.

‘I think they are a credit to hockey and all those involved with their coaching.’

The Guernsey Sports Commission Development Trophy was given to Alison Frankland. For the best part of 30 years she has overseen the development of the swim school at Beau Sejour and also the formation and development of the Beau Sejour Barracudas.

In December, Frankland retired from the swim school but she will coach the Guernsey swimming team when they go to the Rhodes Island Games in June. At the Channel Islands Sports Personality of the Year Awards, she was named as the Cenkos Coach of the Year.

Winners at a glance

Lambourne Shield: Heather Watson

Beau Sejour Trophy: PwC Island under-15 boys’ hockey team

Motorsport Trophy: Darren Konken

Sports Guernsey Shield: Guernsey Mini Soccer Festival organisers

Sports Commission Large Team Trophy: Guernsey men’s bowlers; Small Team Trophy: British Isles fours bowls champions

Sports Commission Disabled Trophy: Boys’R Us indoor bowlers

NSEW Monthly Achievement award overall winner: Alice Loveridge

FletcherSports School Sports Bursary: La Mare de Carteret Secondary

Development Trophy: Alison Frankland

Sir John Loveridge Trophy: Sam Herridge

Guernsey Brewery Salver: Ann Bowditch

Richard Burton Salver: Dale Garland

Sports Commission Trophy: Andy Priaulx