PRIDE OF ST HELENS: Nominees for the 2019 St Helens Council Young Sportsperson Award

In this week's paper (out now in shops for just 50p) we published a 16-page supplement profiling each of the shortlisted nominees for this year's ceremony.

Throughout this week and next ahead of the event at the Totally Wicket Stadium, we will be sharing our categories of nominees with you.

Here are your nominees for the 2019 Young Sportsperson of the Year Award sponsored by St Helens Council.

Hannah Rylatt

YOUNG tennis ace Hannah Rylatt has enjoyed more success this year as she continues her ambition to play full-time on a national academy.

Rainhill schoolgirl Hannah enjoyed the taste of victory at Wimbledon this year in the International Road to Wimbledon Doubles competition.

Hannah won alongside playing partner Millie Skelton, from Hull, in the competition which sees girls from the UK compete against players from China, Hong Kong, India and Japan.

Hannah, 13, has also enjoyed success in the Lancashire County Championships for under 14s, under 16s and even under 18s.

Hannah competes across the country and around Europe with parents Mirelle and Martin accustomed to the travelling to support her at tournaments.

Mum Mirelle said: “She has given up an awful lot. She’s very deserving and committed and has had to sacrifice an awful lot.

“She thoroughly enjoys it and it’s what she aspires to do for a career. It’s a lot of travel and not just round the UK, she has to go to Europe as well.

“Rainhill High have also been massively supportive.”

Jacob Kelly

JACOB Kelly has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the world of tumbling which has seen him represent his country.

The youngster travels to Wakefield Gymnastics Club from his Rainford home five times a week to train at one of the best tumbling clubs in the country.

After initially starting out at a regular gymnastics club, Jacob’s talent for the tumbling discipline soon came to the fore.

Jacob, now 15, was initially pointed in that direction by St Helens’ former World tumbling champion Rachael Letsche.

And he has been coached by Craig Lowther, who has produced Senior and Junior World Champions over the years.

He has tumbled for more than five years and at 13 he represented Great Britain at the World Age Championships in Loul Cup, Portugal and then the following year in Sofia, Bulgaria. 

In 2018 Jacob came third at the Spring Series 2  in May and was subsequently selected for the  15 to 16 age group GB team for the World Age Championships in Tokyo in Dec.

Jacob won his first major title in the English Championships in September, achieving a PB score.

He then followed this with a third place at the British Championships. 

Sophie Bellis

TEENAGER Sophie Bellis enjoyed success, becoming a junior world champion in Rome.

Sophie was among four youngsters who flew out to the Italian capital to take part in the Youth MMA World Championships (IMMAF) from the town centre-based Hamma Mixed Martial Arts Gym.

Sophie won the title to become the first British junior world champion and she even defeated an Italian opponent in Rome in the final.

Meanwhile, the other HAMMA competitors won two and lost one, just missing out on bronzes.

The IMMAF is the biggest martial arts federation in the world and will see competitors from countries from all over the globe including Japan, South America and Russia.

Following Sophie’s incredible success HAMMA Gym said: “All four performances were world class. All four competitors were warriors and bringing home the gold with Sophie. Well done to the team.

“Massive thanks to the coaches back home for their help getting the team to the standard they are. And thanks to all the supporters from parents, grandparents, carers and friends. We wouldn’t be the club we are without this.

“Thank you.”