THIS year's hosts of the 49th Isle of Wight Sports Achievement Awards, at Newport's Medina Theatre, will be familiar to many.

Isle of Wight County Press co-editor Lucy Morgan, a long-standing presenter of the awards, will co-host next month's event alongside ITN political correspondent and news presenter, Romilly Weeks. 

This year's event will be held on Thursday, March 21.

Lucy, a multi-media journalist for 30 years, working in TV, radio, digital and print, said: “It is beyond a pleasure to be able to announce the names of the nominees and winners of the Isle of Wight Sports Achievement Awards," she said.

“The amount of talent in the room is always incredible. We are so lucky to have such incredible sports people on the Island — flying the flag for us in everything from pickleball to sailing."

Romilly, with strong Island links, replaces Cowes-based Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson, who has co-hosted in recent years, but is unavailable this year.

Romilly grew up taking advantage of the sporting opportunities on the Isle of Wight.

She learned to swim at the West Wight Sports and Community Centre in Freshwater; rode with the Isle of Wight Pony Club; and sailed in Yarmouth.

“The swimming instruction was so good I managed to front crawl my way across The Solent a few years ago," said Romilly.

“My children, nephews and nieces were all taught by the legendary Shirley Miles at West Wight too. My daughter now competes on the Vectis Riding Club team, and my son plays tennis
at Ryde whenever he can.

“As the parent of a child who wants to make tennis his career, I know how much dedication and hard work it takes to achieve anything in sport.  

"It is wonderful to be able to celebrate the success of all the Island’s brilliant athletes with
these awards.”

Claire Beasley, chair of the Isle of Wight Sports Foundation, which organises the awards, said
the quality of the 90-plus nominations this year was as high as ever.

“We are looking forward to a tremendous evening and to have these fabulous professionals hosting the event makes it even more special.”