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Sporting feats recognised at Young Achiever Awards

22 December 2009

The awards recognise talented young people in a variety of fields, including sport, and were presented during a ceremony at Highfields School in Matlock.

Among the winners were Isobel Ashley, a member of the Colin Deaton Table Tennis Academy who is in the England Girls U15 Table Tennis Team, and kickboxer Natalia Rea, (13) who achieved her black belt in November last year and represented England in the World Championship in Florida, winning two bronze medals.

Other winners included:

Nine-year-old Sophia Nasser from Gorsey Brigg Primary School, who has been ice-skating for three years. Since starting to compete she has won three bronze medals in the Hull Open, Telford Open and Milton Keynes Open and a gold medal in April this year at the Bracknell Open.

Jayden Budworth, (10), one of the top-ranked young table tennis players in the country. Jayden, a pupil at St Joseph’s Catholic and C of E School in Staveley, finished third in the Junior National Age Group Championship this year and is a member of Speedwell Table Tennis Club in Staveley.

Jack Griffiths, Bolsover District’s Young Sportsman of the year 2009. His achievements include British Under 12s Karate Weapons Champion 2009, Kickboxing Weapons and Open Hand Champion 2009, Austrian Classic Weapons and Open Hand Champion 2009, European Under 12s Weapons and Open Hand Champion 2009 and European under 16s Weapons and Open Hand Bronze Medallist 2009. Jack will also represent Great Britain in Hungary at next year’s World Championship. 

Thirteen-year-old swimmer Corey Mead, who is currently ranked in the top 10 in the country for his age in the 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m freestyle. Corey is a member of the Nova Centurion Elite Swim Squad.

Jack Shepard, from Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School, who won 10 gold medals and two silver medals at the 2009 World Dwarf Games. Jack won gold in events including 60m and 40m sprint, 60m relay, shot putt, javelin, swimming relay, badminton doubles, football, hockey and basketball.

Eric Ham, a martial arts student at Glossop Judo Club. The talented 12-year-old picked up a silver medal at the recent British Championships and is currently ranked number one in the country.  Eric is also a member of the England judo squad.

Fourteen-year-old Jake Astill, who has shown determination, commitment and talent in ice skating, having won four out of five competitions, most recently the Dundee National Ice Competition. Jake trains five times a week.

Beth Brown, who underwent a liver transplant when she was only six months old. At a young age Beth developed a love of swimming and her dedication and regular training has been rewarded with a total of 26 medals that she’s won at the Annual British Transplant Games since 2004. Beth, now 15, was selected to represent the UK at the World Transplant Games in Australia this year and won a gold, three silvers and a bronze medal.

Thomas Taylor, for achievements in archery. The 14-year-old John Port School pupil is the East Midlands Junior Champion and came second in the Great Britain Championships in December 2008 and July 2009. Thomas has also broken the national under 16 record twice this year, been selected three times to represent England in international competitions as a reserve and beat local opposition to win a major competition hosted in France.

Sixteen-year-old Jack Massey, who is currently ranked number one for his age and weight in the country by the Amateur Boxing Association of England. This is following his recent success rising from an amateur boxer to an international athlete, winning every national title in the domestic calendar and gaining international recognition and success in the Tri-Nations Championships. His achievements include Junior Novice Champion, National CYP Champion and Junior ABA Champion all at 80kg class.    

Patrick Smart, an ambitious sportsman who intends to compete in the Tour de France, the 2016 Olympics and to take the Yellow Jersey in the Prologue Time Trial, his specialist discipline. In the last year Patrick has covered 2,000 plus miles in training and competition – finishing eighth in the overall points – and is the first under 16 in the Matlock Cycling Club’s history to break into the top 10.

Nathan Pentin, who is currently ranked fifth in the UK for the pole vault and has become one of the best U15 vaulters in the country with his personal best of 3.45 metres. Despite only being in his second season of pole vaulting, 14-year-old Nathan’s achievements this year include first place in the Scottish U17 Indoor Championships, Derbyshire Athletics Championships, Derbyshire School Championships and Midland Schools Inter Counties, and third place in the English Schools Track and Field Championships and Northern Athletics Championships.

Katie Byres, who was nominated for her pole vaulting achievements. The talented 16-year-old’s achievements this year include fourth in the National U20 Championships, fifth in the Senior UK championships - in which she was 10 years younger than the winner - and tenth representing Great Britain at the European Youth Olympics in Finland. Katie is aiming to represent Great Britain again in 2010 at the World U20 Championships in Canada and to represent Europe at the World Youth Olympics in Singapore next summer.

Christopher Rushworth, who was recognised for his various volunteering roles including coaching athletics, helping deliver sports festivals in local schools and supporting Peak Active in delivering football. He has Level 1 coaching awards in athletics and lacrosse, as well as a Junior Football Organiser’s Award and Level 1 UK Sports Leader award. Christopher was selected as one of 50 young athletics leaders and 250 young leaders from the UK to attend the Young Leaders Camp 2009 at Rugby School, as well as representing Derbyshire in the world Scout Jamboree. The busy Buxton Community School student also runs for Macclesfield Harriers training six times a week and racing every other week.

Alison Gartside, a black belt first Dan in taekwondo, who recently represented Great Britain in competitions in Puerto Rico and Ireland.

Awards were presented by Councillor Robin Baldry, Chairman of Derbyshire County Council, Children’s ITV How2 presenter, Gareth Jones, and High Peak Radio presenters Ben Price and Holly Knebel.