Kate Waugh adds to her successful year, being named Sports Aid's Athlete of the Month in September to now making the Top 10 for the One to Watch Award
The One-to-Watch Award has an outstanding ‘Hall of Fame’ with double Olympic bronze medallist Tom Daley winning the inaugural title when he was just 12-years-old. Paralympic champion Hollie Arnold MBE claimed the accolade in 2008 with para-athlete Sally Brown, hockey player Harry Martin, heptathlete Morgan Lake and sprinter Jodie Williams among the previous victors.
Last year, triathlete Alex Yee received the One-to-Watch Award from Sir Mo Farah, a beneficiary of SportsAid support in 1999, after a sensational 12 months which saw him take gold in the ITU World Duathlon Junior Championships and bronze at the Quarteira ETU Triathlon Junior European Cup. Alex, who is also a track and cross country runner, was over the moon to win the award.
"It feels amazing - I'm speechless,” said Alex at the time. “To be named the one to watch and then to be presented it [the award] by Mo Farah is the greatest honour and I'm over the moon. To have the backing of such a great charity shows that it's all going in the right direction. I'm ready for that next step and to push myself and hopefully in four years get to that Olympic Games.”
The One-to-Watch Award shortlist for 2017 includes four junior world champions with many European titles and national accolades won by the nominees…
Beth Shriever, 18, from Braintree - cycling
Calvin Tarczy, 17, from Fortis Green - rowing
Caroline Dubois, 16, from Chelsea - boxing
Charlie Smith, 18, from Leighton Buzzard - canoeing
Craig Boardman, 17 from Thruxton – para athletics
Finette Agyapong, 20, from Newham - athletics
Holly Dunford, 18, from Tadworth - rowing
Kate Waugh, 18, from Gateshead - triathlon
Lauren Hemp, 17, from North Walsham - football
Lily May Humphreys, 15, from Sudbury - golf
The 10 athletes have been selected from over 1,000 rising British stars supported by SportsAid across more than 60 different sports during 2017. Each year, athletes are nominated by their sport’s governing body on the strength of their talent and potential, demonstrating why the One-to-Watch Award has gained such a strong reputation for identifying the best up-and-coming prospects.
What has Kate Waugh achieved this year:
• Gold in the junior women’s race at the ETU Triathlon European Championships 2017
• Silver in the junior women’s race at the ITU World Triathlon Championships 2017
• Gold in the junior women’s race at the British Duathlon Championships 2017
“I am so happy to be selected for the top 10 for the award because it’s out of so many talented athletes. It’s such an honour. I’ve had my best season to date this year and it’s really great to be noticed for that. I’ll be in my last year of juniors next season so my main goal will be to retain my title at the European Championships and I’d love to get on the top step at worlds.
“I’ve had my most successful year since being with them [SportsAid]. They’ve helped me fund transport to trips, overnight stays before races and all the little things that help make life easier. I have so much to thank them for and it’s nice to get results with that because it feels like I’m giving back to SportsAid. I know I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now without all their support over the years.”
Kate has also achieved SportsAid awards in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 (myLotto24)