18-year-old Commonwealth Games medallist wins a Charnwood Sports Award

Charnwood’s sporting stars have been recognised in an awards ceremony.

Charnwood Sports Awards winners have been announced and a swimming star was one of the winners.

The awards which were organised by the borough council’s sport and recreation team, Active Charnwood and the Active Charnwood Alliance, took place at Burleigh Court in Loughborough and highlighted the work and dedication of individuals, clubs, coaches and volunteers across the borough.

 Among the winners was 18-year-old Jacob Whittle, who trains at the British Swimming Performance Centre in Loughborough.

Jacob won the Junior Sports Person award and collected his first medals at World and Commonwealth level in 2022 taking home a gold and three silver medals.

 Paralympian Olivia Breen, who trains at Loughborough University, won the Senior Sportsperson of the Year award after putting in top performances at the Commonwealth games.

 Cllr Leigh Harper-Davies, the Council’s lead member for communities, said: “A huge congratulations to all the winners and nominees in the Charnwood Sport Awards for this year.

 “It has been a great event where we have come together to celebrate the sporting excellence that Charnwood has.

 "The borough is fortunate to have not only elite athletes but also an incredible crop of young sporting talent who can be tomorrow’s superstars.

 “This year’s awards were also about recognising the importance of staying active through sport to improve your health and wellbeing. Sometimes it doesn’t have to be about competition, but about being active.”

The 2022 winners and runners-up are:

Club of the year:

Winner: Loughborough Female fitness

Loughborough Female Fitness bring females across the borough together for walks which have been a huge help to members’ well-being following and during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Runner Up: Leicestershire & Rutland Youth Sailing Association

Runner Up: Sileby Town Football Club

Joe Humphries Memorial Trust Special Recognition Award:

Winner: Danny Lee

The Joe Humphries Memorial award went to Danny Lee who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2021. Since then, Danny has used his experience to educate staff and students at his workplace, Loughborough College, about spotting the signs of testicular cancer, as well as raising over £2,000 for charity ‘Oddballs’ through a sponsored 10km run.

 Runner Up: Molly’s Gift

 Runner Up: Annie Jeffs

Let’s Get Moving Junior Ambassador of the Year:

Winner: Kate Robertson

The Junior Ambassador of the Year award went to Kate Robertson who has been a This Girl Can Ambassador for the past two years at Loughborough College to create fair and inclusive opportunities for females to get active at the college. Kate has gone on to ensure that there is a specific female-only session in the college recreational timetable.

Runner Up: Jack Goldfinch

Runner Up: Harry Yates

Junior Sports Person:

Winner: Jacob Whittle

 Jacob Whittle won the Junior Sports Person award. Jacob won his first medals at World and Commonwealth level in 2022 including taking home a gold and three silver medals at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

 Runner Up: Harry Donald

Runner Up: Dahnon Ward

Let’s Get Moving School Sports Award:

Winner: Ashmount School

The Loughborough-based school won the Let’s Get Moving School Sports Award for encouraging pupils to be involved in sports outside physical education lesson time and arranging for yoga specialists to visit to help them concentrate on their wellbeing.

Runner Up: Loui Charlesworth

Runner Up: Arbham Giga / Rawlins PE Department

Outstanding Contribution to Physical Activity, Sport & School Sport:

Winner: Steve Wilkinson

Steve Wilkinson won the Outstanding Contribution to Physical Activity, Sport & School Sport award. Steve has been an integral part of sport in Loughborough for the past 16 years, working for Loughborough College and Loughborough Foxes. His most recent achievement has been the formation of the Loughborough College pan-disability football team that gives opportunities for learners with a wide range of disabilities to compete in national tournaments.

Runner Up: Ben Mackness

Runner Up: Gorse Covert Walk leaders

Runner Up: John Mumford

Let’s Get Moving Senior Ambassador of the Year Award:

Winner: Jane Parr

The Senior Ambassador of the Year Award was taken home by Jane Parr who is the driving force behind the Safe, Well, Happy group which supports people with learning disabilities. The group aims to support people with social interaction, physical activities, workshops on health and wellbeing, activities to build communication skills and opportunities to interact with the local community.

 Runner Up: Sileby Town Football Club Committee

Runner Up: Ann Bullock

Runner Up: Joe Ballantyne

Senior Sports Person of the Year Award:

Winner: Olivia Breen

Paralympian Olivia Breen, who trains at Loughborough University, won the Senior Sportsperson of the Year award after putting in top performances at the Commonwealth games.

Runner Up: Thomas Young

Runner Up: Sophie Hahn

Let’s Get Moving Wellbeing at Work Award:

Winner: Watermead Day Nursery

Watermead Day Nursery picked up the Let’s Get Moving Wellbeing at Work award for their continued recognition of members of the team’s efforts including Staff Member of the Month and their flexible working pattern to allow staff to concentrate

Runner Up: Loughborough College