TASS Stars 2020 – Shortlisted athletes announced!

Talented athletes from across the country have been recognised as 2020 TASS Stars Awards finalists in recognition of their achievements in sport and study/training in the past year.

Seventeen athletes supported by TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) from a range of sports have been shortlisted from many nominations outlining the athletes’ accomplishments both on and off the field.

Nominations were invited from sports’ National Governing Bodies, TASS Delivery Sites, coaches, team-mates, parents and the athletes themselves. The five categories are chosen to celebrate the attributes of a dual career athlete: Most Determined, Most Inspirational, Most Committed, Most Potential and Athlete of the Year.

Boccia athlete William Arnott, archer Daniel Thompson and gymnast Lewis Gosling have all been selected in the Most Determined category, while swimmer James Baxter, alpine skier Robert Holmes and rower Rebecca Wilde are named as TASS’s Most Inspirational athletes this year.

In the Most Committed category, modern pentathlete Guy Anderson, hockey player Gareth Griffiths, diver Tia McGarry and boccia athlete Beth Moulam are all in contention, with tennis player Ben Jones, badminton player Johnnie Torjussen and archer James Woodgate all shortlisted for the Most Potential award.

Shortlisted for The Athlete of the Year category are beach volleyballing brothers Javier Bello & Joaquin Bello, Kite Foiling athlete Francesca Maini and hockey player Tim Nurse.

An independent panel of judges including Olympic medal winning gymnast Kristian Thomas, TASS alumni athlete and TAAG member Rachelle Rogers, were tasked with determining the shortlist and subsequently the five winners.

TASS National Director, Guy Taylor said: “TASS was launched in 2004, and we’re proud to have supported hundreds of amazing athletes each year – and 2020 is no exception.

“Athletes this year have been presented with a unique set of challenges, and we’ve been impressed with their resilience and self-motivation.

“Despite the restrictions on gatherings this year, we were keen to be able to celebrate these incredible athletes, who are not only outstanding sportspeople, but have also accomplished something great in their pursuits alongside sport.”

Due to the pandemic, TASS are unable to hand out the awards in person and so the winners will be announced on Twitter at 12noon on Friday 21st August.

 

Most Determined

Awarded to a TASS athlete who has been adaptable, overcome challenges or demonstrated resilience in order to pursue their sport and/or study.

  • William Arnott (Boccia)
  • Lewis Gosling (Gymnastics)
  • Daniel Thompson (Archery)

Most Inspirational

Awarded to a TASS athlete who possesses infectious enthusiasm and a positive attitude, has shown creativity in their sport and/or study, or has demonstrated sportsmanship.

  • James Baxter (Swimming)
  • Robert Holmes (Alpine Skiing)
  • Rebecca Wilde (Rowing)

Most Committed

Awarded to a TASS athlete who has shown dedication to both study and/or sport, including excellent time management and balancing demands.

  • Guy Anderson (Modern Pentathlon)
  • Gareth Griffiths (Hockey)
  • Tia McGarry (Diving)
  • Beth Moulam (Boccia)

Most Potential

Awarded to a TASS athlete who is deemed to be a “one to watch” in the future in either their sport and/or study.

  • Ben Jones (Tennis)
  • Johnnie Torjussen (Badminton)
  • James Woodgate (Archery)

Athlete of the Year 

Awarded to a TASS athlete in recognition of their outstanding achievement this year in their sport and/or study.

  • Javier Bello & Joaquin Bello (Beach Volleyball)
  • Francesca Maini (Kite foiling)
  • Tim Nurse (Hockey)