THERE was great success for Budehaven Community School when three of its students were nominated for the Young Leader Award.
Budehaven continues to encourage, nurture and produce some excellent Sports Leaders to complement the sporting prowess and successes achieved throughout the year at local league, county and regional levels across a wide range of sporting activities.
For the first time this year, Budehaven nominated three, sixth form leaders for the prestigious Cornwall Sports Partnership Awards, under the category of the Young Leader Award.
The three nominated sports leaders were Shannon and Katrina Bluett, who during the course of year 13 achieved the Higher Sports Leader Award, and Georgia Higham.
Shannon and Katrina spent time coaching the Year 8 and 9 netball teams, as part of their A-level assessment, and included countless additional hours volunteering their time at the numerous Key Stage 1, 2 and pre-school events that Budehaven host for feeder primary schools.
Shannon was also an assistant coach at the Bude Gymnastics Club, afterschool on Wednesdays.
The two individuals inspired other young people with their exemplary organisational skills and manner when working with children and peers.
The third nominee, Georgia Higham, now in Year 13, continues to work with the Year 9 hockey team.
To Georgia, her work with the hockey squad meant much more that just completing her A-level coursework.
As a Community and Higher Sports Leader, Georgia was also a well organised and inspirational leader at the primary school festivals. She said: “My involvement with Bude Junior Hockey Club and school hockey started a few years ago.
“I have been involved in umpiring school games and junior county tournaments/ leagues, coaching junior hockey training on a Sunday morning and taking the lead of the coaching of the U14 Budehaven girls’ hockey squad.
“The highlight was the girls becoming county champions and representing Cornwall at the West of England Schools finals this year. All of this has led to most recently joining the coaching team at the Junior Development Centre in Bude. When I found out I was shortlisted for this award, I couldn’t quite believe it.”
Budehaven were proud to have two of their students in the top three finalists. Katrina and Georgia were recognised for their contributions as ‘Young Leaders’. Unfortunately they both could not win the award and the accolade was awarded to Georgia.
Upon winning Georgia said: “The awards evening itself was amazing. Recognising all those within Cornwall who make a difference, celebrating sport and watching all of the inspiring videos of the winners.
“Hockey within Bude wouldn’t be possible without the hockey club and all of the people who volunteer huge amounts of time organising matches, coaching both the juniors and seniors and supporting.”
After winning the award Georgia will now go on to the BBC South West Sporting Awards.