The Isle of Man Sports Awards take place at the Villa Marina tonight, Thursday.
.jpeg?width=209&height=140&crop=209:145,smart&quality=75)
Former 400m Olympic Champion Sally Gunnell OBE is guest of honour for the Microgaming Play It Forward-sponsored evening, which recognises the achievements of the island’s leading sportsmen and women over the past 12 months.
For updates and photos from the awards ceremony, which gets under way at 8.15pm in the Royal Hall, keep refreshing this page or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @iomsportsdesk.
-------------------This year's Isle of Man Sport Aid recipients are the first on stage this evening. More than 50 aspiring sports people are receiving support this year from 13 companies and organisations as well as IoM Sport.-------------------The evening's first accolade is the Sure Sports Leader of the Year award, which goes to football coach Sean Jackson.-------------------The first of the evening's main awards is the Newfield Under-21 Sportswoman of the Year accolade which goes to cyclist Amelia Sharpe.'It was a good year for me winning British junior national championships and then representing GB.'I'm away at the first round of the junior national series this weekend and then representing GB in Holland after that.'-------------------SMP Partners Under-21 Sportsman of the Year award goes to rugby player Bevan Rodd.The Sale Sharks prop forward is away preparing to represent England under-19s against Wales this weekend.-------------------Manx Radio Sports Coach of the Year award goes to island netball coach Claire Battye.Claire, who coached the island's senior side to silver in the European Challenge Open in Gibraltar last year, said: 'It's amazing time for Manx netball. We can only thank the MNA for making the brave decision to come away from England Netball and go it alone as members of the INF.'The squad is in good spirits ahead of next month's European Challenge, which is being held here in at the NSC next month.'-------------------It's a double for netball as the island's senior team win the Conister Bank Team of the Year award.Captain Ashley Hall said: 'It's just amazing to win this. Netball at the moment is really taking off and it's great to be a part of.'The standard of our leagues are going up every year in both the senior and junior game.'-------------------Isle of Man Newspapers Administrator of the Year accolade goes to fell running's Richie Stevenson. 'I love the sport and seeing so many different places in the island. It's a just a fantastic sport.'The Manx Mountain Marathon is the big race we all look forward to - we just love it.'-------------------Department of Enterprise Isle of Man Ambassador award goes to professional cyclist Sam Brand.'Highlights last year were definitely the Commonwealth Games and the Milan-San Remo.'Sam who has diabetes said: 'There are so many people out there who are told that they can't because of it, but I want to show you can.'-------------------The Crowe Morgan Veteran Sportsperson of the Year goes to race walker Karen Chiarello. Karen is away competing in Australia, but sent a video message saying: 'Im really proud and overwhelmed. Sorry I can't be there, but thank you very much.'-------------------Keystone Law Disability Sportsperson of the Year goes to amputee footballer Sean Jackson.The Laxey goalkeeper, who has to play outfield for England amputees team, said: 'I love football. It's every goalkeeper's dream to play outfield!'-------------------Standing ovation in the Royal Hall as the late Leonie Cooil is awarded the Mylchreests Lifetime Achievement Award.Leonie's brother Marcus receives a loud round of applause as he picks up the award.-------------------Now for the final two awards of the evening, the Microgaming Play It Forward Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year awards.Receiving the former is swimmer Charlotte Atkinson after her impressive performances at last year's Commonwealth Games.Charlotte is currently training for the British Championships, but a video message said: 'Thanks so much for the award.'Sportsman of the Year goes to Commonwealth Games silver medallist Tim Kneale.The clay pigeon shooter said: 'Fantastic to bring a medal back for the Isle of Man. It was a dream come true for me.''To come from a minority sport and achieve the things I have is down to everyone who has supported me.'Interviews and loads of photos from tonight's show in next week's Isle of Man Examiner - on sale Tuesday morning.