Rugby star is Sports Personality of the Year

Former Plymouth College pupil and England rugby star, Henry Slade, has been named Sports Personality of the Year in the Herald Sports Awards.  The Exeter Chiefs player made his World Cup debut last autumn, scoring a try for England against Uruguay.

Henry was announced the winner at a glittering ceremony at Plymouth Pavilions, which was attended by more than 500 people and was hosted by Olympic swimming medallist and TV presenter, Sharron Davies MBE. England football legend, Kevin Keegan, was the guest speaker.

Deputy Head and Director of Sport, Sarah Dunn, won the Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award.  In her 20 year career at Plymouth College, Sarah has been the driving force behind many of the school’s sports partnerships that has seen great success, including international honours, in swimming, diving, modern pentathlon, fencing, hockey, rugby and basketball. 

Current Plymouth College pupil, Ruta Meilutyte (swimming) was runner up in the Sports Personality of the Year category as was former pupil, Ben Proud (swimming). Current pupils Georgina Mitchell (modern pentathlon) and Tom Fannon (swimming) were runners up in the Young Sports Personality of the Year category, while Director of Swimming, Jon Rudd, was runner up for Coach of the Year.  Another former pupil, Surgeon Commander Anthony Lambert OBE, was runner up in the Good Sport, Fair Play, Respect category.  Anthony has raised more than £110k for the treatment of injured servicemen by organising an annual rugby match, Medics Rugby Challenge, between the Royal Marines and medical students from the Peninsula Medical School.

Plymouth College co-sponsored the event with exclusive jewellers, Michael Spiers, who have been heavily involved in local sports for many years.  Plymouth College Headmaster, Jonathan Standen said at the event:

 “It is a true honour to be part of these Awards; something both Michael Spiers and Plymouth College are very passionate about.   It is always refreshing to see a local business giving something back into the community, both at a grass roots and elite level.

“The Herald Sports Personality of the Year Awards embrace the whole spectrum of sport in the city; from community teams, to individuals giving up time for others; young people just starting out, to the trail-blazers putting Plymouth on the map.  The breadth of talent is outstanding. What all the nominees have in common is real strength of character; commitment to their sport and an incredible resilience to keep going and achieve their goals.”

For all the latest news from Plymouth College ‘Follow’ @plymouthcolleg1 on Twitter or ‘Like’ Plymouth College on Face Book.