Two Paralympians and three Commonwealth Games team members joined athletes from around Cornwall for a special presentation evening at Falmouth’s Princess Pavilion.
Organised by the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF), each of the sporting stars was presented with a certificate and financial award, in addition to being given free training membership in any GLL leisure centre across the UK and free injury rehabilitation with a Cornwall-based physio.
A total of 95 Cornish athletes will benefit from GSF support this year – the highest number in any one county. Among them are mixed martial arts specialist Kate Jackson, 31, from Lostwithiel, who caused a major upset last weekend with a win against previously unbeaten Russian fighter Anastasia Yankova; basketball player Matthew Marsh, 15, a student at Penair School, who is a member of England’s under 16 team; sailing enthusiast Finn Hawkins, 15, from St Austell, who will be representing Great Britain at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games and English International rugby union player Michaella Roberts, 20, from Camborne, who is hoping for World Cup selection.
Phil Lane, who previously led the development of Paralympic sport in the UK and is GLL’s Head of Sport and Community, introduced the evening with a welcome in Cornish. He then went on to talk about the importance of encouraging young sporting talent.
“To succeed at the top levels of competitive sport requires huge dedication and commitment – not only from the individuals concerned, but from their families too,” he said. “That’s why GLL set up GSF 10 years ago and why just over 3000 athletes from all over the country will benefit from our help in 2018 alone. The financial and practical support we provide will never be enough but at least it helps make a difference and we’re very proud of that.”
Special recognition was given to Commonwealth Games team members Sue Wherry and her grandson Mark Wherry, from St Austell, who both directed visually impaired lawn bowl players, and 18-year-old Molly Caudery, from Illogan, who came fifth in the Commonwealth Games’ pole-vaulting competition.
“I started as a gymnast but knew I’d found my sport when I started pole-vaulting,” said Molly, who is currently studying sport science at Truro College before joining Miami University in the autumn to do a degree in Marine Biology. “My next big goals are to try and beat the Under 20 world record and compete at the Olympics.”
Chairman of Cornwall Council, Mary May, presented awards with Deputy Lord Lieutenant Jane Hartley.
“We’re delighted to be working together with GLL,” said Councillor May. “Encouraging people in Cornwall to keep moving to keep healthy is vital. Our leisure centres, which GLL manage, play a big part in that.”
Following the presentation Paralympians Melissa Reid, a triathlete from Truro who won bronze at Rio in 2016, and David Wetherill, from Torpoint, who has represented Great Britain in table tennis at the last three Paralympic Games, took to the stage to answer questions.
“I’ve always wanted to be as good as I can get and I love the fast, explosive action of table tennis,” said David, who has suffered from a bone disease since birth. “My best advice would be to keep focused on your goals and always strive to get better.”
GLL is a not-for-profit social enterprise that, on 1 April 2017, won a 25-year contract to manage Cornwall’s leisure centre on behalf of Cornwall Council.