AoC Sport Awards spotlight: Inspirational Student and Student Volunteer of the Year

The second in the series of AoC Sport Awards spotlights focuses on Inspirational Student of the Year and Student Volunteer of the Year.

Inspirational Student of the Year winner

Gabby Welch - North Lindsey College Gabby Welch truly is an inspiration to others, and her passion for sport, exercise and enjoyment shows in everything that she does. She has been an advocate of the college by representing the college netball team, promoting an active and healthy lifestyle as a This Girl Can Ambassador and supporting open evenings, roadshows and local school sports days. Gabby is on track to achieve a Distinction Star in her NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity and she is an exceptional student who boasts a desire to go above and beyond in everything she does. Gabby consistently undertakes new qualifications, experiences and opportunities outside of her studies. She has volunteered at events with North Lincolnshire Council and coaches most evenings and weekends at her local gymnastics club. Using her new qualifications Gabby has also delivered chair-based exercise classes to individuals in a residential home to improve their health and wellbeing. Additionally, she acts as a positive and enthusiastic role model coaching various inclusive sports at her local primary school. Altogether Gabby has achieved 350+ hours of work experience over the last two years – an incredible achievement for one individual.

Highly Commended

Joel Hales-Waller- Sandwell College Joel Hales-Waller is a second year sports student at Sandwell College who was highly commended because of his outstanding work to make sport more inclusive and positively promote health and wellbeing in his community. Joel has a rare condition called PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome, which means he requires a power wheelchair to move around. He also has severe bilateral hearing loss in both ears. However, Joel remains hugely motivated to empower others to take up sport. For example he has delivered numerous talks and coaching sessions to specialist groups on disability sport and has won the Thrive Community Mental Health Star Award and the Edgbaston Foundation 2019 hero for his efforts. He has even delivered boccia and wheelchair basketball sessions at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology to increase awareness of inclusive sports. Academic-wise Joel is exceptionally organised and efficient with his work. He is a fantastic role model within the class and his attitude and application to his studies is a benchmark which has led to the standards of the rest of the group being raised.

Highly commended

Caitlin Ianelli - Burnley College A student ambassador, a class mentor, captain of the netball team and college council member – Caitlin Ianelli does it all. Alongside her full time Level 3 BTEC fitness industry services studies, Caitlin also volunteers at disability activities in the college, advocates sport and physical activity to all students and supports the college fitness staff wherever possible. Her enthusiasm to shadow staff has been so inspirational that it has led to the launch of an official mentor scheme at Burnley College for all fitness students to gain experience of the industry. Caitlin also leads dance and fitness sessions for children from the community as well as representing the college in dance competitions and the netball team. She is a great role model for students in general as she represents what hard work, determination and enthusiasm can achieve. A compilation of footage we have from Caitlin helping to lead various fitness sessions and projects. https://youtu.be/V7lgqW0FcyU

Student Volunteer of The Year winner

Yahya Sheik-Hassan- Newham Sixth Form College (NewVIc) Yahya is a 1st year NewVIc student who is studying a Level 3 Diploma in Performing and Production Arts. He signed up to the NewVIc Sports Leadership Academy in September 2019 and has gone from strength to strength, taking up every opportunity available to him and being ambitious about seeking out more. All of the qualifications, volunteering and opportunities Yayha has engaged in take place outside and on top of his full time programme of study. Yahya has completed the following qualifications since September 201: SCUK Safeguarding & Protecting Children, SCUK How to Coach Disabled Sports People, Emergency 1st Aid, Streetgames Football Activator, Streetgames Empowering Women & Girls, FA Level 1 and Higher Sports Leaders UK Level 3 (in progress) As part of his role in the Sports Leadership Academy, Yahya is expected to complete 30 hours of volunteering but he has done more than twice that number. He has shown great leadership, maturity and responsibility and is thriving as assistant coach of the college football team. In addition, he also volunteers as a coach at his local youth football team every Saturday. Yahya is a fantastic role model for his peers, the college and the wider community and embodies the spirit of this award.

Monthly volunteer winners

Marta Araujo De Lima - Newham Sixth Form College Ben Whittaker - Blackburn College Kheira Wilson - Tyne Metropolitan College Georgina Coulter - Bexhill College Imani Sayles - Dudley College Caitlin Wheat - Nottingham College

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