Year 8 pupil Jasper wins Junior Sports Achiever of the Year
Posted on: November 8th 2023School News
Congratulations to year 8 pupil Jasper from The Manchester Grammar School who recently became the winner of the Junior Sports Achiever of the Year at the MCR Sports Awards 2023 for his windsurfing achievements.
The MCR Sports awards recognises the talent of sporting stars, local athletes, local coaches and clubs to Manchester for a special celebration of their achievements.
Jasper started windsurfing at Manchester Watersports Club, whilst he was attending The Manchester Grammar Schoolas a Junior School pupil. Since then, he has represented Great Britain at the Youth World Championships in 2022 and 2023, where he was the top performing GB sailor in his age group.
He has also previously won the Regional Championships and the Eric Twiname Championships, and is currently top of the GB National Windsurfing League in his league. Alongside his regular training and competing, Jasper has volunteered his time over the summer holidays to help teach others how to windsurf.
Jasper spoke about his experiences as an athlete: “I started windsurfing after the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then I have represented Great Britain in the Techno Windsurfing World Championships in 2022 and 2023 in Cyprus and France. Over the past year I have won the Regional Championships, Eric Twiname and the National Championships also the UKWA cup series. I enjoy the sport due to the community within windsurfing and the vast competition. I enjoy the challenge of dealing with different elements of nature such as the wind, size of the waves and the tide whilst racing round a course”.
He added: “On Saturday 4th of November I won the Manchester Sports Awards 2023 Junior Sports Achiever of the Year. When I arrived at the ceremony, it was exactly how I had imagined; it was just like the award ceremonies you see on television. There were round tables with candelabras and several celebrities with lots of TV cameras. There was even a red carpet to walk along. It is a night that I will remember for a long time”.
Jasper concluded by saying: “My windsurfing journey has not been without its share of challenges. I have faced tough competitors, unpredictable weather conditions, and moments of self-doubt. It has taken countless hours of practice and commitment that has helped me become resilient and more determined to succeed in the future. My peers and competitors have pushed me to continuously improve, providing the necessary challenges for me to reach new heights in my windsurfing career. This is what makes the camaraderie and sportsmanship in the windsurfing community so special.”
Well done Jasper!
(Jasper photographed alongside the other nominees)
(Jasper photographed with the Nationals trophy and RYA series medals)