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Medway Sports Awards: Athlete Ryan Brett and basketball referee Pawel Szczepanik nominated for unsung hero and official of the year honours

05:00, 22 October 2022

Nominations are still open for this year's Medway Sports Awards.

The awards celebrate sporting achievement during the past four years, with 11 categories to enter.

Athlete Ryan Brett is among the entrants for Unsung Hero of the Year
Athlete Ryan Brett is among the entrants for Unsung Hero of the Year

Runner Ryan Brett is among the names put forward for an award, in the Unsung Hero of the Year category.

The 33-year-old was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in 2010 and when a friend donated him a kidney in 2015, his life changes. Ryan has since competed in numerous events and challenges, raising money for charity.

He’s competed in a 24-hour treadmill run, an ultra marathon - 66 miles around the Isle of Wight - several marathons, including one barefoot, he’s done the 24-hour London to Cardiff challenge, has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, ran the London Marathon twice and ran from Land’s End to John O'Groats over 17 consecutive days.

He’s won gold medals at the World Transplant Games and is always keen to raise awareness for organ donation.

Another category at the awards is the Official of the Year and Pawel Szczepanik is one of those to have been nominated.

Basketball referee Pawel Szczepanik has been nominated for Official of the Year
Basketball referee Pawel Szczepanik has been nominated for Official of the Year

The basketball official refereed most weekends throughout the season for Kent Crusaders Basketball Club, most days doing multiple games from under-12s to senior men.

He has also given up time during the week to help out at training sessions scrimmages. He has been described as “a great referee, he knows his stuff, he is able to ref all levels and ages, he has given up a lot of his time to help Kent Crusaders to matches played and he is a great guy who is professional and reliable.”

The Medway Sports Awards are organised by Medway Council and supported by the Medway Messenger. The awards cover achievements during the period October 1, 2018 to October 31, 2022.

Nominations close on October 31 and can be made at www.medway.gov.uk/sportsawards where you can also find out more about the categories.

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