Ala Chalmers named top 2024 performer in celebration of Guernsey sport

Olympian Alastair Chalmers won the top prize at last night’s Sporting Achievement Awards 2024.

This year’s Guernsey Sports Commission awards winners. (Picture by Sophie Rabey, 33931442)

The 400m hurdles ace claimed the Guernsey Sports Commission Trophy for outstanding performer of the year after running 48.54sec. to land a fifth successive UK title and later making his event’s semi-finals at Paris 2024.

Watch: Sports Commission Trophy winner Ala Chalmers speaks to Tony Curr about the ‘best year of his life’ and his ambitions of making a major final

Meanwhile, indoor bowls had a night to remember in the annual awards ceremony at Beau Sejour, winning no fewer than four accolades.

That included Jason Greenslade taking the Richard Burton Salver for outstanding individual male sporting achievement after winning the World Bowls Indoor Championships on home soil.

Alison Merrien lifted the equivalent women’s award, the Guernsey Brewery Salver, following her singles triumph at the British Isles Indoor Bowls Council Championships.

Merrien and her Guernsey teammates who struck BIIBC women’s fours gold were credited with the GSC Small Team Trophy.

Paul Wheatley, who has been a driving force behind walking football and Guernsey Mobility Let’s Go, was also added to the island’s coaching ‘roll of honour’. He picked up the accolade from Deputy Bailiff Jessica Roland. (Picture by Sophie Rabey, 33931406)

Furthermore, the World Bowls Indoor Championships organising committee won the Sport Guernsey and Nautical Events Shield after bringing a successful international competition to La Hougue du Pommier.

The night had begun with top golfer Conor McKenna receiving the junior Lambourne Shield to celebrate a remarkable year that included a ‘double double’ – winning the Guernsey junior and men’s titles, plus their CI equivalents – at just 17.

Melrose swim team won the junior team Beau Sejour Trophy for their success at the English Schools Primary Team Championships.

In the para-sport category for physical impairments, the inter-insular winning boccia team took home the Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson Trophy.

The Dave Dorey Memorial Trophy for the person who has made an outstanding contribution to their sport was won by Vale Rec head coach Mark Romeril. (Picture by Sophie Rabey, 33931414)

The Ferbrache & Farrell LLP Trophy for para-athletes with learning disabilities went to dedicated and fast-improving Guernsey Dynamics footballer Jorge Gois.

The men’s cricket team that won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifier C, and also claimed their first victory over Jersey in a T20 international since 2015, topped this all off with the GSC Team Trophy.

Vale Rec coach Mark Romeril won the Dave Dorey Memorial Trophy to mark his side’s footballing quadruple – they triumphed in the Priaulx League, Stranger Cup, Upton Park Trophy and FA Cup.

While junior squash player Leo Carpenter has climbed the national rankings this year and his success has now been marked by the Sir John Loveridge Trophy for greatest progress.

Read the full story in Saturday’s paper.