The South's top sportsmen and women celebrated their achievements at the annual BBC South Sports Awards on Sunday December 7th.

Winners' Photo Gallery

Over 200 of the South of England's top sports stars packed the DeVere Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton for the annual ceremony, presented by Sally Taylor and Roger Johnson.

Listen to the BBC South 2003 Sports Awards ceremony

2003 Sports Awards

One of the hottest contested categories was that of Male Team - the award went to Sussex County Cricket Club who were crowned County Champions for the first time in 164 years.

Mushtaq Ahmed won the Cricketer of the Year Award for his 103 first class wickets which propelled the team towards that historic win.

The county did the double as the Sussex Women's Cricket Team picked up their Female Team Award for winning their County Championship under the leadership of England Captain, Claire Connor.

The next generation of sports stars were also honoured at the ceremony. Bournemouth schoolgirl Katy Lanson, a member of the Olga Club in Poole was named Best Newcomer. She won the World Under-13 trampolining title in Germany in October with a near flawless final routine.

And World Under-25 Bowls champion, 16-year old Claire Spreadbury from Basingstoke won the Young Sportswoman trophy for her achievements. It topped a great week for the Loddon Vale Club member who has been called up to the England Junior Team.

Disabled Sportswoman of the Year was Oxford swimmer Danielle Watts who broke four world records in 2003 and will be leading the British challenge at the Paralympics in Athens.

Peter Norfolk from Fleet received the Disabled Sportsman Award. Peter rose to the number one spot in the world wheelchair tennis rankings, won the French, British and US Opens and was named Disabled Player of the Year by the Lawn Tennis Association.

Sally Taylor with James Beattie

2003 is a year that James Beattie will never forget - the Saints striker hit the net 23 times during the season, he made his England debut and of course played in the FA Cup Final in May.

He won the Footballer of the Year Award, while Harry Redknapp was named Manager of the Year for taking Pompey into the Premiership in his first full season in charge at Fratton Park.

	Footballer of the Year, James Beattie
	Manager of the Year, Harry Redknapp

Aldershot Town walked away with the Non-League Team of the Year. Their phoenix-like revival continued this year with their winning of the Ryman League to join the Football Conference.

It was also a great year for Poole Pirates Speedway team who now hold every title in the domestic game and were awarded the BBC Radio Solent Special Award. Reading Hockey Club's European triumph earned them the BBC Radio Berkshire Special Award.

Special Award winner, Matt Ford, Poole Pirates

On the water, Ben Ainslie successfully defended his World and European Finn Class crowns and is red hot favourite for Olympic Gold in Athens next year.

Isle of Wight teenager, Seb Clover won the Young Sportsman Award for becoming the youngest person to sail single-handed across the Atlantic.

Katy Sexton won the Sportswoman award for becoming the first British woman to become a world swimming champion on an unforgettable summer's night in Barcelona.

Southampton's Jason Seels won the Sportsman title after winning his tenth successive National Waterskiing title.

A new addition to this year's Sports awards was the catagory of Unsung Hero - to recognise the achievements of the many volunteers who work to develop the grassroots of sport around the region.

The award went to 76 year old Jim Williams who established South Reading Football Club 10 years ago which is now a key part of the lives of more than 150 boys and girls. Jim will now join the other Unsung Heroes from other BBC regions at the national BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award at Television Centre in London.

Pippa Funnell receives her trophy from Robin Smith

The climax of the evening was the announcement of the Sports Personality of the Year Award. Voted for by BBC South viewers, listeners and web users, the title was won by Pippa Funnell.

The Surrey eventer was unstoppable in 2003, becoming the first rider to complete a grand slam of Badminton, Burghley and Lexington titles. She goes into an Olympic year in fine form to compete in the Athens Olympics.

Sports personality of the Year, Pippa Funnell receives her award from Sally Taylor