Bradley Stoke Judo Club fighter Lele Nairne, 16, from Kewstoke, North Somerset (but originally from Bradley Stoke) has been named South Gloucestershire Young Sportsperson of the Year in recognition of her success in numerous international competitions over the last 12 months.
Cadet British champion Lele broke into the senior team last December where she won the -57kg bronze at the British Senior Championships a week after taking the -57kg Cadet under-18s championship title. In the 2014 season, Lele has competed at three of the five European competitions and won a silver in the Czech Republic and gold in Romania.
Lele received her award from BBC Radio Bristol’s Geoff Twentyman at a ceremony held on Thursday 4th December at the BAWA club in Filton.
Another local success at the event was the naming of Tina McIvor, of Wheatfield School in Bradley Stoke, as Primary School Volunteer of the Year.
The person who nominated her for the award had written:
“Tina made sure that children at the school had the best access to events that they possibly could. She ensured the school was entered into various festivals, organised which children were taking part and recruited volunteers to help. She always makes sure that a variety of children are selected to take part – not just the best or the oldest.”
Gymnast Claudia Fragapane, 17, from Longwell Green, who made history by winning four golds at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, was a popular winner of the main Sportsperson of the Year award.
The annual event recognises the achievement, dedication and contribution of local people who are involved in playing, coaching and organising sports across South Gloucestershire. Local residents nominate people who they feel deserve to be acknowledged for their accomplishments, and all of the award winners have demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring sporting activities are championed at a grass roots level.
Cllr Howard Gawler, Chairman of South Gloucestershire Council, said:
“The Active South Gloucestershire 2014 Sports Awards ceremony was a really enjoyable occasion for all involved. Well done to everyone who received a nomination.”
“It was great to see Claudia Fragapane pick up the main Sportsperson of the Year award after her incredible success over the past 12 months. This has been an exciting year for sport for Great Britain with Glasgow hosting the Commonwealth Games at the start of the summer and London playing host to the first Invictus Games in September. We are lucky enough to have a number of award nominees that were part of these wonderful sporting events.”
“Our area is full of sporting talent from our schools to our grassroot clubs and all the way through to the world class talent that is coming out of South Gloucestershire.”
This article originally appeared in the January 2015 edition of the Bradley Stoke Journal news magazine, delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to 9,450 homes in Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke and Stoke Lodge. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
