ENGLAND netballer Serena Guthrie was crowned Jersey’s Sports Person of the Year at last night’s Sport Council Awards.

Guthrie (pictured) is the most successful netballer ever to emerge from the Channel Islands, and although she could not be present at the awards, there is no denying that the honour will have come as a welcome surprise to the 18-year-old former Le Rocquier student who has been touted as one of the country’s most promising players.

Her talent was spotted at an early age by Convent coach Linda Andrews, who encouraged Guthrie to take up a scholarship offer in Bath.

Also a winner on the night, and also unable to attend, was Doug Ferguson who received the Sid Guy Memorial Trophy for his long and selfless service to Island cricket. But perhaps the biggest applause of the evening was reserved for Betty McGough who received the Colin Welsh Memorial Trophy for her 30 years of service to local athletics, Jersey Spartans in particular.

• Full report and other awards are published in Saturday’s Jersey Evening Post.