Watford Water Polo Club came third in the best newcomer section of the Hertfordshire Service to Sport Awards.

The event welcomed 450 guests, who packed into the Weston Auditorium at the University of Hertfordshire on Monday night.

Organised by Herts Sports Partnership, the Service to Sport Awards brings together an array of coaches, instructors, officials, administrators and sports club volunteers to commemorate their contributions and commitment to sport in Hertfordshire.

The evening was hosted by Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft who recognised the British sporting successes from this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games, along with the role of sporting volunteers.

Special guests included canoe slalom gold medalist Etienne Stott and ParalympicGB blind football captain David Clarke.

Nominations were received from all ten Hertfordshire local authority areas and from over 20 different sports including boxing, basketball, sailing and swimming.

Christine Neyndorff, director of the Herts Sports Partnership, said: "It was fantastic to welcome so many invaluable sports volunteers to the stage on Monday night and to hear about the amazing volunteering that takes place across the county. We know that sport at a local level cannot be successful without their involvement. The evening was a great success."

Information about this year’s winners can be found at http://www.sportinherts.org.uk/awards2012/.