Former St Albans School pupil Jack Somers has been crowned 2014 Suffolk Sports Personality of the Year.

The 20-year-old Karate star from Ipswich picked up the top award at Trinity Park, ahead of Martin Cates (Tchoukball), Emilie Wix (Rowing), Jasmin Taylor (Telemark skiing) and Declan Manning (athletics).

The ESKA European men’s champion has now won nine international medals, also achieving national and regional championship titles in both the Kata and Kumite.

The Young Sports Personality of the Year saw joint winners with former St Jo’s schoolboy Lewis Ludlam (rugby) and squash player Lucy Turmel sharing the award.

Netball player Phoebe Parker won the Individual Performance/Achievement of the Year award, while Live Well Suffolk won the Most Active Workplace of the Year award.

Elsewhere, equestrian coach Jill Day won Coach of the Year, road runner Joe Mower and Suffolk basketball legend Garth McLean both won Lifetime Achievement of the Year awards, while hockey’s Lucy Elson won Young Community Volunteer of the Year award.

Other winners included Felixstowe Hockey Club (Club of the Year), Rory Marriott (Unsung Hero – for contribution to Ipswich Parkrun) and Hadleigh Community Primary School (School of Sporting Excellence and Participation award).

A special Elena Baltacha award was presented meanwhile to James and Michaela Gooch from Waveney Valley Athletics Club.

More coverage next week in the EADT and Ipswich Star.