By Noy Shani @NoyShani @TLE_Sport
For ten young British athletes this November 5th will be more than just Bonfire night after they were shortlisted for the prestigious SportsAid One-to-Watch award.
Previous winners of the award that was launched in 2006 include diver Tom Daley and skeet shooter Amber Hill, who was also crowned BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year.
The Duchess of Cambridge, a SportsAid’s Patron has presented the award for the last two years.
Among the nominees this year are Laviai Nielsen, the 400m gold medallist at the 2015 European Junior Championships, who said in response:
“It’s an incredible achievement to be shortlisted among some of the country’s best young athletes! I feel very proud and honoured to know that my achievements have been recognised.”
Other picks include disabled athlete James Arnott and footballer Leah Williamson, both 18, 17-year-old rower Joshua Armstrong, as well as windsurfer Emma Wilson, tennis player Katie Swan and triathloner Ben Dijkstra, all 16 years old.
Among the younger contenders you will find 15-year-old swimmer Layla Black and 2015 BMX World Under-14 Age Group champion Ross Cullen, 14.
But at the age of 13, the youngest of the lot, is disabled tennis player and 2015 World Deaf Junior champion, Esah Hayat.
SportsAid’s Richard Bates is sure that’s it is not just about the award, as he told The London Economic: “All the athletes and their families already had to make great sacrifices to give themselves the opportunity to make sport a professional career by performing at such a high level.
“Year-on-year, the athletes we support tell us that the recognition they receive gives them greater motivation and an added hunger to achieve.”
The ten were selected from 1,200 rising stars in more than 60 different sports, based on criterias such as the strength of their potential and talent.
The ceremony will take place at the London Hilton Park Lane Hotel.
