The success and dedication of young Christchurch sportsmen and women has been celebrated at the annual Christchurch and District Sports Council Sports Achievement Awards, held at East Dorset Indoor Bowls Club.
This year there were 37 winners, with awards presented by the Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr Denise Jones in December for success across a range of sports. Awards were divided into categories, with 16 bronze for county standard success in sporting competitions, 12 silver for national standard success and two golds for international standard success.
The gold winners were Matt Aldridge and Isabelle Brennan-Pope. Matt was commended for his success in the Christchurch Rowing Club junior squad and for being selected to row for GB in an eight at Munich Junior International regatta when he came away with a bronze medal. He was selected to represent GB at the Junior World Championship.
Isabelle is a very talented all round sports person. She competes for her school in athletics and has county representation for football, cricket and cross country. Her most successful sport is BMX at Club, Regional, National and International level competing in two international competitions in Holland and in England, and has qualified to join team GB in Zolder, Belgium in 2015.
There were also six Dedication to Sport awards as well as a Coaching Award for Andrew Rushworth, an experienced sailor and racing coach who now coaches at Christchurch Sailing Club.
On presenting the awards, the Mayor said: “I am delighted at the determination, commitment and enthusiasm shown by all these award winners. These qualities not only help them in their chosen sporting activities but prepare them for life in general.
“I also wish to congratulate two other groups who have helped our sporting enthusiasts to achieve their goals – their trainers and their parents.”
Award winners
Bronze
Isaac Bridet – Judo
James Newell – Judo
Rhys Harding – Judo
Laila Arbane – Taekwondo
Abigail Gardner – Taekwondo
George Smart – Excelling in all sports
Sam DeLaFeuillade – Sailing
Drew Barnes – Sailing
Cian Ashby – Sailing
Jack Acton – Sailing
Aleisha Cruwys – Football
Amelia Dobson – Athletics
Amy Moss – All round sports person
Chloe Spencer – Football
Grace Batsford – All round sports person
Sophie Walker – Badminton
Silver
Neil Bates – Judo
Lizzie Lander – Rowing
Charlie Wedderburn – Rowing
Libby Booth – Rowing
Amy Mills – Cross country running
Edward Stephenson – Water polo
Eve Goldsack – Swimming
Katy Curtis – Freestyle disco dance
Lucy Gadd – Cycling
Matthew Folland – Water Polo
Sasha Wentworth – Martial Arts
James Stephenson – Water Polo
Gold
Matt Aldridge – Rowing
Isabelle Brennan-Pope – All round sports person
Dedicated Services to Sport
Tony Lock – Sailing
Terry Antell – Model flying
Daniel Squire – Cricket
Thomas Randell-Turner – Cricket
Toby Coffin – Watersports
Toby Gadd – Cricket
Coaching
Andrew Rushworth – Sailing
