Media Release
Leisure Charity present Junior Awards to Cheshire winners
Everybody Health and Leisure are delighted to announce the winners for the 2023 Junior Awards. Everybody went out to present awards in their schools and clubs and recognised children aged 5-15 for their inspirational efforts and contributions to local sporting and activity success.
All the judges have had a difficult job choosing the winners for each category, as all the nominations were fantastic, proving that Cheshire East is home to some amazing upcoming sporting superstars.
Technogym, Fitasylum and Holmes Chapel Parish Council have kindly sponsored this year’s Junior Awards.
The winners for 2023 are as follows:
Active Family of the Year
Winner: Ash, Macey and Holly Richardson from Winsford training at Cheshire Ghost Riders BMX Club based in Crewe
The Richardson family are made up of Dad, Ash and his two daughters Macey and Holly. They are part of Cheshire Ghost Riders BMX Club based at Tipkinder Park in Crewe supported by Mum. They head across the country to various BMX tracks to compete in regional, national and World Championships. They came into the sport as a family 5 years ago. Ash grew up in Crewe using the same facilities at Tipkinder park around 20 years ago, so it has been a natural transition sharing his BMX passion with his daughters. As a trio, they compete up and down the country in a multitude of race series including the BMX World Championships representing Team GB held in Glasgow Scotland this year. Congratulations to the Richardson family.
L-R: David Newport, Head of Finance at Everybody, alongside Active Family of the Year Winner’s The Richardson Family
Rising Swim Star:
Winner: Esmé Fraser aged 7 swimming at Crewe Lifestyle Centre
Esmé swims two hours a week, one hour with Everybody in Crewe and the other with Crewe Flyers. She also is a gymnast who is now training at national level 12 hours a week. Esmé has made huge improvements in strength and stroke through her lessons as she never takes the easy option. Her determination in the face of challenges is nothing short of remarkable. Swimming is a physically demanding sport and it requires not only strength but resilience too. Esmé is incredibly supportive of her team and class mates, always encouraging them to do the best they can and without a doubt, a shining star in the pool and a deserving winner for the Rising Swim Star Award.
L-R: Rising Swim Star Winner Esmé Fraser, Todd the Tiger Everybody mascot, Abbie Thorburn Aquatics Manager at Everybody
Sports Personality of the Year
Age 5-8 years
Winner: Bella-Ashleigh Smethurst aged 8 from Sandbach
Bella currently holds the title of Karate World Champion at only 8 years old! She is a ‘1st Dan Black Belt’ gaining her Dan grade in May this year. She achieved the world championship title in July this year competing against the belt athletes all over the world. Her rigorous training schedule consists of five intense sessions per week, highlighting her unparalleled work ethic. Bella competes nationally for her country and for her club. She has numerous gold and bronze medals competing in Kata and Kumite. She is a role model for other young children and thoroughly deserves this Sports Personality Junior Award.
Bella-Ashleigh Smethurst Winner of Sports Personality of the Year, Age 5-8 years
Age 9-11 years
Winner: Amelia Carroll aged 10 from Poynton
Amelia is a truly remarkable, unique young girl. Amelia is affected by CLN2 Batten Disease, a rare inherited and rapidly progressive brain disorder. Amelia is a person with a disability, with sight loss, has restricted mobility and lacks an ability to communicate verbally. Amelia loves gymnastics, attends weekly sessions at her local club and takes part in inclusive local, regional, national and international competitions. In 2022 and to present date, she achieved three 3rd place awards and four 1st place awards.
Amelia is a role model to other families with Batten Disease, through her achievements in gymnastics and in everyday life. As a young person with CLN2 Batten disease, Amelia is unique in her gymnastic achievements. She is determined to continue her gymnastics and to win more awards. Gymnastics form an essential part in Amelia’s social belonging and quality of life. A huge congratulations to Amelia for winning the Sports Personality of the Year, age 9-11 year award.
L-R: Todd the Tiger Everybody mascot, Rosie, Sports Personality of the Year Winner Age 9-11 years – Amelia Carroll, Lily, Katie Harrop Head of People & Organisational Development at Everybody
Age 12-15 years
Winner: Thomas Bidgood aged 14 from Congleton
Thomas is a well-liked athlete who enjoys all sports. Since the age of nine, Thomas has been a competitive swimmer, at first with Biddulph Amateur Swimming Club and then in 2021 he moved over to Satellites of Macclesfield. He has trained anywhere between 10-13 hours per week and has won hundreds of medals during various competitions over the years – more importantly achieving Top Boy at the North Midlands Championships and Cheshire County Championships. Thomas has had to face a number of setbacks due to medical issues, the major one being his hypermobility which has seen him on crutches, he has been through a lot of pain, he has had sprained ligaments and stomach issues.
Despite the frustration, he has continuously shown resilience, tenacity and sheer grit and after each setback, has willingly picked himself up and started again. Yet he has managed to achieve such a lot despite these difficulties. Thomas is a pure inspiration and a deserving winner for this Junior Award.
L-R: Sports Personality of the Year Age 12-15 years Winner Thomas Bidgood, alongside Harry Korkou Customers and Partners Committee Trustee at Everybody Health and Leisure
Everybody Junior Member of the Year
Winner: Luke Hill-Smith aged 14 from Holmes Chapel
Luke has been an Everybody member since December 2022. He is always polite and respectful to members of staff, setting a good example for other young gym users. He exercises on his own, with friends and has a good attitude in the gym. His gym etiquette is always up to the standards set and he is always respectful to the staff and other gym users. Luke is a positive young man and is willing to learn and develop. He has a good understanding about seeing results and has remained patient throughout his journey in the gym. The Holmes Chapel Community Centre team put Luke forward and feel like he deserves this win for the Everybody Junior Member of the Year Award, well done Luke.
L-R Jodie Entwistle Everybody Swim Lead, Jade Stone General Manager at Holmes Chapel Community Centre, Diana Tames from Holmes Chapel Parish Council, Luke Hill-Smith Junior Member of The Year Winner, Chris Jackson Holmes Chapel Parish Council, Kiran Beeston Health and Fitness Advisor at Holmes Chapel Community Centre
Unsung Junior Hero Award
Winner: Maisy Tomlinson aged 13 from Crewe
Maisy is a regular volunteer at Queens Park junior parkrun in Crewe with her mum since November 2021, having never done any volunteering before. Maisy’s mum, Karen, told Everybody Health & Leisure that Maisy has anxiety, which has knocked her confidence over the past few years. Maisy’s confidence has grown because of volunteering and it has helped her to manage her anxiety. Maisy has volunteered at this event on 42 occasions. A measure of how much Maisy’s confidence has improved is her eagerness to meet and greet the volunteers each week and assign them their roles and marshal points. Maisy is a great example of how junior parkrun is not only good for exercise, but mental health and wellbeing too. Congratulations Maisy for winning the Everybody Unsung Junior Hero Award.
L-R: Katie Harrop Head of People & Organisational Development at Everybody, Todd the Tiger Everybody mascot, Unsung Junior Hero Award Winner Maisy Tomlinson
Chairman’s Award
Winner: Peter Hargreaves 7 years old from Holmes Chapel
Peter is currently doing stage 1 swimming lessons at Congleton Leisure Centre. He has come so far considering he would not even go near water 6 months ago. He has anxiety and he has now overcome this all thanks to the swim teachers at Congleton leisure centre. Peter struggles a lot at school with activities but with continuous encouragement and gaining his confidence in water, he is absolutely smashing it! Peter winning this award will show that for other children like Peter who have personal issues, it is possible to thrive and be the best they can be whether they have additional needs or not. For Peter to be recognised for what a bright, young boy he is and for him to know that anything is possible is amazing. Congratulations Peter on winning Everybody’s Chairman’s Junior Award.
L-R: Andrew Kolker Chairman at Everybody Health and Leisure, Peter Hargreaves Chairman’s Award Winner, Chris Jackson Holmes Chapel Parish Council, Diana Tames from Holmes Chapel Parish Council
Kerry Shea, Director of Health & Communities at Everybody Health and Leisure shares:
“The Junior Awards get better every year and it’s amazing to see how many talented children we have across Cheshire East. The Everybody team recognised the juniors in their clubs and schools for their amazing efforts in sport and activity over the past year. A big thanks to our sponsors this year and congratulations to all the nominees, finalists and winners, what a great achievement to end the year on.”
Read more about Everybody’s winners and finalists across Cheshire East on their website here www.everybody.org.uk/news/
Ends.
Notes to Editor
Everybody Health and Leisure are a registered charity which aims to provide ‘leisure for life’ by improving the health and wellbeing of local communities. The charity operates 16 leisure facilities including 9 swimming pools and 7 Taste for Life cafes across the Cheshire East region, and delivers a range of targeted health, sports and disability and inclusion programmes. For more information please visit: www.everybody.org.uk or follow on Facebook @EverybodyHealthLeisure and Instagram @ebleisure
Media Contact
Name: Matt Shannon
Organisation: Everybody Health and Leisure
Email: [email protected]