Leicester Tigers forward Tom Croft and World Cup-winning cricketer Nicky Shaw were last night crowned Leicester Mercury Sportsman and Sportswoman for 2009.

The winners of the 13th Sports Awards were announced at the Walkers Stadium.

Croft was honoured for his performances through a year which saw him represent the British and Irish Lions and put on some sterling shows for the Tigers and England.

Rendall Munroe, Sportsman of the Year in 2008, and Leicestershire's up-and-coming batting prospect James Taylor were also commended for their performances during the year.

All-rounder Shaw played a key part in helping England's women lift the World Cup, in Australia.

She was in the thick of the action, too, as England followed up with victory in the inaugural World Twenty20 tournament on home soil during the summer.

It was a memorable occasion for the Tigers, whose success in the Guinness Premiership and journey to the Heineken Cup final in 2009 helped to land them the Team of the Year Award.

After being presented with his award, Tom Croft said: "It was a real surprise. It is something I was nominated for, but I never thought I would win.

"Rendall is planning a world title shot and James is an up-and-coming cricketer, so there was tough competition.

"It is a big privilege and a huge honour."

The newly-crowned sportswoman of the year, Nicky Shaw, said: "It has capped off a great year, which could not really have been any better.

"I hope 2010 is going to be just as good."

The hosts of the county's "Sporting Oscars", Leicester City, were rewarded for their promotion back to the Championship when Nigel Pearson was named Coach of the Year.

Last night also saw the presentation of the first Neville Hamilton Award.

Neville, the former Leicester City player and coach, had been a member of the Sports Awards judging panel up until his death in February last year.

The trophy went to the organisers, local athletes and coaches involved in the Special Olympic Games, which lit up the summer of 2009 as the event returned to the city for the first time in 20 years.

Two runners-up from past years tasted success in the younger age groups.

Cyclist George Atkins, who is currently preparing for an appearance in Great Britain colours at the World Cup in China, won a hotly-contested Young Sportsman category.

City of Leicester swimmer Sophie Smith, who also earned international honours in 2009, took the Young Sportswoman prize after a year of almost continuous success in the pool.

*Don't miss - eight-page special on the Sports Awards ceremony in Monday's Leicester Mercury.

The full list of winners

Sportsman of the Year

Winner: Tom Croft

Commended: James Taylor, Rendall Munroe.

Sportswoman of the Year

Winner: Nicky Shaw.

Commended: Lauren Turner, Emily Scarratt.

Coach/manager of the Year

Winner: Nigel Pearson.

Commended: Richard Cockerill, Alex Dawson.

Team of the Year

Winners: Leicester Tigers.

Commended: Leicester City, Charnwood AC.

Club of the Year

Winners: Leicester Coritanian.

Commended: Hinckley SC, Charnwood Sapphires.

Under 19 Team of the Year

Winners: Hinckley Colts.

Commended: Leicester Penguins, Leicester City Ladies under 13s.

Young Sportsman of the Year

Winner: George Atkins.

Commended: Nathan Buck, Tsubasa Nakagawa, Patrick Cox.

Young Sportswomanof the Year

Winner: Sophie Smith.

Commended: Jessica Hickman, Jasmine Nicholls.

Junior Sportsmanof the Year

Winner: Owin Sinclair.

Commended: Dominic Civil, Joe O'Connor.

Junior Sportswoman of the Year

Winner: Amy Griffiths.

Commended: Mollie Walden, Grace Garner.

Santander Community Impact Award

Winners: Leicester Penguins.

Commended: Charnwood Sapphires, Hinckley SC.

Active4Life Award

Winner: Peter Altenhofen.

Commended: Commended: Aimee Worrad, Ines Hancox.

Neville Hamilton Award

Special Olympics Leicester.