Photographer Ben Challis chooses top 10 2023 Whitehaven sport pictures

Sports photographer Ben Challis has provided Newsquest titles in West Cumbria with a whole host of images enabling the websites and newspapers to tell the story of a year in sport.

From community rugby league, to showing remarkable achievements and shows of solidarity in which the sporting community came together in West Cumbria to do what West Cumbrians do best- stick together , he has captured it all.

And it's a year to be proud of as the Whitehaven and wider West Cumbrian community came together to honour one of their own Logan Holgate, who died in January.

Since his death, friends and family of the hugely popular character Logan and his coach England Lions coach Gary McMahon came together earlier to launch a life-saving fundraising campaign in their memory.

The Logan and Gary's Lions Heart Fund became the inaugural winners of the Cumberland Council Outstanding contribution award at the Newsquest Pride of Cumbria Awards 2023 in June.

It was also a year in which Whitehaven rugby league legend Kyle Amor hung up his boots in an epic display of Cumbria vs. Wales at the Ortus Rec in Whitehaven.

And despite some struggles throughout the year, Whitehaven managed to retain their position in the Championship, with high hopes already for the 2024 season.

The team at Newsquest Cumbria would like to once again put on record sincere thanks to Ben for all his wonderful images.

Joy Yates, Newsquest Cumbria regional editor, said: "Ben has once again selected a fantastic set of photographs which have made his 2023 top 10.

"They capture many important events for fans of our sports coverage in The Whitehaven News and Times & Star.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Ben for his superb contributions to our print and online products."

Here are Ben's top 10 Whitehaven News rugby league pictures for 2023:

Logan Holgate's brother Fletcher, Uncle Paul, and cousins Aston and Alvie bring out the match ball at the LH7 fundraiser in Workington in June. (Image: Ben Challis Sports Photography)

Kyle Amor takes time with supporters for selfies after Cumbria's win over Wales at the Ortus Rec in October. (Image: Ben Challis Sports Photography)

Whitehaven's Dave Eccleston charges forwards against the Sheffield Eagles in Havens' Championship win in August (Image: Ben Challis Sports Photography)

Hensingham take on Egremont Rangers in the very muddy Jackie Davidson Memorial Cup in February (Image: Ben Challis Sports Photography)

Kells U14s celebrate winning the BARLA Cumbria Cup, one of four trophies they won in an exceptional 2023 season (Image: Ben Challis Sports Photography)

Whitehaven celebrate Daniel Spencer-Tonks try against the Sheffield Eagles in August (Image: Ben Challis Sports Photography)

Wath Brow celebrate winning the Cumberland League Grand Final with a one point victory over Distington (Image: Ben Challis Sports Photography)

Jamie Doran's sublime offload sets up Jake Carter's try against Barrow Raiders in August (Image: Ben Challis Sports Photography)

The Pride of Cumbria. The Cumbrian England Community Lions U19s who beat Brazil RL in November: L-R Dylan Grears (Kells), Dan Knott (Dalton), Fletcher Holgate (Hensingham), Devan Sharp (Wath Brow Hornets), Josh Blinkhorn (Dalton) (Image: Ben Challis Sports Photography)

The rugby league family. Hundreds of walkers raising money for Logan & Gary's Lions Heart Fund arrive at Egremont Rangers from Hensingham and Wath Brow on May 7th, en route to Kells and Whitehaven (Image: Ben Challis Sports Photography)