14th November 2013

Harry Coppell Nominated For Top Award

Harry Coppell (coach: John Mitchell) is one of just three athletes in the UK to have been shortlisted for SportsAid’s prestigious One-to-Watch Award which will be presented by the charity’s Patron, Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, at its SportsBallTM on November 28.

The 17 year old, who is supported by British Athletics’ Futures Programme was one of two GB & NI gold medallists at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Ukraine where he won Britain’s first ever pole vault world title.

His nomination for this award comes in recognition of his exceptional performances and incredible commitment and potential as one of the brightest prospects to be supported by SportsAid this year. He was chosen above more than 1,300 other SportsAid athletes throughout the UK.

“It is an honour to be shortlisted for this award. It is amazing to be picked out of all the brilliant athletes that SportsAid represents,” he said.

“For me as a pole vaulter financial support is always a great help because of how expensive equipment is. At £600 pound per pole they can become difficult to buy but thanks to SportsAid’s funding I was able to buy the poles that I needed to achieve what I have achieved this year.”

The judging panel included experts from BBC Sport, UK Sport, Sport England, the British Olympic Association, the English Institute of Sport and SportsAid.

When the winner is announced on November 28 it will be the first time that the Duchess of Cambridge has presented the One-to-Watch Award since becoming SportsAid’s Patron earlier this year. Previous winners include diver Tom Daley and sprinter Sally Brown.

Tickets for the SportsBallTM are now sold out but to reserve a table at next year’s event – from which all the proceeds go towards supporting the next generation of British sportsmen and women – please contact SportsAid today on 020 7273 1977.