Awards launched to celebrate the very best of our young sports stars
A NEW event showcasing the most inspiring, impressive and outstanding young sports people in Wales is being launched by WalesOnline.
Held in association with Sport Wales and overall sponsors McDonald’s, WalesOnline Young Sports Stars will celebrate our country’s young sports people and recognise the coaches, teachers, schools and clubs who have gone the extra mile in making a difference across the nation.
Hosted by broadcaster and rugby coach Sean Holley, the celebratory evening will take place at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Friday, November 8, and will be geared towards our young audience, with high-energy entertainment and fun food.
Speaking about their involvement in this new Wales-wide event, McDonald’s franchisee Ron Mounsey said: “The franchisees of McDonald’s in South Wales are pleased to be the main sponsors of the Wales Online Young Sports Stars 2019 Awards where we will recognise our up-and-coming sports stars of the future.
“We look forward to a memorable evening and meeting our dedicated young people who I know put so much into their events. Good luck to all those who have been nominated.”
Sarah Powell, chief executive for Sport Wales, said: “A lifelong enjoyment of sport and being active usually starts by being inspired as a young person. Across sports clubs and schools in Wales young people are being encouraged to take part by fantastic role models, while the players and participants themselves are doing amazing things.
“It’s only right we provide a platform to celebrate their achievements, show how sport can help young people thrive and showcase the added benefits that extend far beyond the sports pitch or gym hall.”
Event categories:
Team of the year (18 and under): You may have either achieved outstanding sporting success, or shown the ability to battle against adversity. You could be a team that has excelled on or off the field over the past year, encouraging others to enjoy and be successful.
Club (18 and under): We’re looking for a club that epitomises a culture of inclusivity among all age groups, backgrounds and abilities, that is growing its membership and encouraging sportsmanship and the wider benefits of sport beginners or at a higher competitive level.
School: A school that has either created a positive environment in sport and physical activity for all pupils, ensured pupils are physically literate through an innovative approach to physical education, provided an opportunity for young people to have a voice, built up positive links with their local community or helped the school’s teams and individuals achieve outstanding performance in a range of sports.
Teacher: We’re looking for an individual who goes the extra mile to make their school a place where everyone enjoys taking part in sport. Someone who has demonstrated a commitment to making sport accessible and enjoyable to all in a competitive or recreational format. They promote skill development and multisports, consistently considering pupils needs, listening to their opinions and ensuring the teams and individuals representing the school are both performing well and having fun.
Coach: Someone who makes a difference to the abilities, values and behaviours of the young people they coach. A coach who works tirelessly to ensure participants have the best chance of success, whatever that success may look like, and creates an inclusive culture that places the needs of players at the centre of the sessions.
Breakthrough sports star (18 and under): A young person who has made a leap to the next level of performance in their sport over the last year. It could be a gamechanging PB, the recognition of a call-up to a representative squad, or a level of consistency that puts them on a higher level – perhaps in more than one sport. We’re looking for a story about the rewards that hard work brings.
Elite performer (18 and under): This award is for a young sports person who is at or reaching the top of their sport, recognising achievements including outstanding performance at international level or a junior starting to make a splash at a senior level.
Sporting moment (18 and under): The winning goal, the championship-winning victory, the record-breaking time, the ultimate sign of sportsmanship – we’re looking for the best (nonalcoholic) champagne moment of the year. This could be for a team or individual.
Beginner (18 and under): A young person who has taken up a sport within the past two years and is able to show the impact it has had on them. This award is for someone who has been able to develop their confidence, improve their health and wellbeing or has gone from complete beginner to high-level performer in a short time.
Influential team captain/ mentor/role model (18 and under): A young person who shows leadership and support towards their peers. This individual is recognised in either their team, club or school for going out of their way to help others, encouraging other young people to participate in sport, listening to and representing their peers and for leading by example in and out of sport.
Sporting inspiration (18 and under): This award is for a person who has shown courage and tenacity in the face of adversity to achieve something truly brilliant. It could be someone who has fought a personal battle to be able to take part in sport, to help someone else take part in sport or someone who has reached the top against all the odds.
For any further details about the awards, including sponsorship opportunities, please contact regional events manager Isabel Goodman on 0782 584 2981 or email isabel. goodman@mediawales.co.uk