SIXTEEN year old Sophie Bailey from Morwenstow received the OCS Young Sports Person Award for the South West Region from celebrity sporting guest Beijing Olympic Bronze Medallist Bryony Shaw at this year's celebratory luncheon on November 27 at the Brit Oval in London.

Sophie was delighted to receive her award from Bryony. "She's an inspiration to me," said Sophie. "She's done so well and it's great to see such a successful woman in my sport of windsurfing."

The awards event was hosted by TV presenter and sports journalist Clare Balding and supported by a host of stars including cricketing legend Alec Stewart, top athlete Ben Challenger and Beijing Gold Medallist kayaker Tim Brabants.

Summing up the star-studded event, OCS chief executive Chris Cracknell explained that the awards are recognition of outstanding potential and commitment.

"OCS, although a large international company, is still a family firm, and we pride ourselves on a decade of searching out talented young athletes who could really benefit from a boost in the early stages of their career.

"We believe this year's winners, deserve recognition for their commitment to their sport and their determination to succeed. We hope these awards will help them on their way to a podium place at the highest level of competition."

Sophie also received £2,000 in recognition of her outstanding sporting ability through the awards scheme which, in partnership with SportsAid, aims to give financial assistance and encouragement to young British sporting talent. Windsurfer Sophie was selected for an award from thousands of young sports people who were identified and nominated to SportsAid by their sport's National Governing Body.

Tim Lawler, Chief Executive of SportsAid, commented: "This is the first year SportsAid is joining forces with OCS, a company already committed to funding talented youngsters through the Young Sports Person Awards. We are delighted that by working together we can offer even more awards to talented young athletes."

Sophie, who has been windsurfing since the age of 11, is currently ranked 4th in the Youth U19's and is the number one British Junior Girl in her sport. The adrenaline and being out in the fresh air at sea is what keeps Sophie going: "I love the feeling of being out on the water. Winning an OCS Award is fantastic because it will enable me to buy a new board and help with competition fees and travelling costs."

Working towards her Olympic ambitions for 2012, each weekend Sophie makes the journey to Weymouth to train, yet still finds time to study for her A-levels and for her hobbies of climbing, swimming and hockey.