Hampshire Schools' Sports Federation

Outstanding Young Sportsperson of the Year Awards Presentation

Thornden Hall, Thursday 17th November 2011

Outstanding young sports people, their families, friends, coaches and invited guests gathered at Thornden Hall on the 17th November to celebrate their achievements on this the 22nd anniversary of these awards.

The ceremony was co-hosted by Bethany Shaw and Robyn Smith, both platinum Young Ambassadors. Our special guest for the evening and presenting the awards was Isobel Pooley, GB Team member for the European Junior Championships and gold medallist at the England U20 Championships this year.

Young people from schools and colleges across the county were presented with trophies and represented a variety of sports, from athletics and badminton to taekwondo and trampoline and many are set to be 2012 Olympic hopefuls.

The Michael Austin Harlick award recognises consistent and outstanding achievement in school sports activities throughout the academic year. Nominations are received from county schools’ sports associations affiliated to the Hampshire Schools’ Sports Federation.  In addition the Michael May Trophy, was given for the most outstanding single performance of the year and the President’s Trophy awarded to the outstanding team performance of the season - The Peter Symonds College Men's Hockey Team.

Commenting on the awards Councillor Roy Perry, Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Children’s Services, said: “It is exciting to see the wealth of young sports talent here in Hampshire being nurtured in our schools and colleges and being honoured at this awards evening. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the young people and their coaches and supporters that so many of them will be aiming to try and compete for their country at the highest level in the 2012 Olympics.

“It is wonderful to see so many young people involved in such a range of sports and I congratulate all of the winners on their achievements. The County Council is determined to develop sporting opportunities for all young people in its schools.”