Lee Valley Regional Park Authority Young Sports Personality of the Year

Nominations

Joe Perrett Cycling: 2009 has been a busy year for Joe Perrett. A member of Brentwood's Glendene Cycling Club, Joe has won three British National Junior Time Trial Championships within the past 12 months, including the 10 mile and 25 mile titles this summer and has also led his Glendene junior team to victory in the Team title as well. Were this not enough, Joe was selected to represent Great Britain in the European Cycling Championships in two events. Aiming for a place in the top ten for the European Junior Time Trial Championship, Joe rode an amazing race to finish the course in first place, winning him the gold medal and the crown of European Champion. In the subsequent Road Race Championship, Joe finished in the leading group and while not in place for a second medal, he received the same time as the winning rider, proving himself a definite contender for London 2012.

Jo Jo Cranfield Swimming: Southend's Jo Jo Cranfield is an inspirational athlete whose talents have been recognised by many people at both a local and national level. Jo Jo is currently the holder of ten short course and one long course East Region records as well as eight top ten short course world rankings and seven top thirty world long course rankings. Jo Jo is on the British Swimming World Class Swimming Squad and has been selected by the Amateur Swimming Association to study for Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence, making her one of only 230 elite athletes from the UK to have been selected since 2006. An Essex Legacy 2012 Team Ambassador, Jo Jo works hard to promote a healthy life style and encourages other young people to take up sport.

Emma Hollis Swimming: Club Captain for Epping Forrest Swimming Club, Emma Hollis's achievements this year are a testimony to the hard work and commitment that this young person has put into their sport. Emma commenced the year by winning gold in each of the events she entered at the regional disability championships, then followed this up at the DSE Junior Championship in Sheffield where she won a massive 11 individual gold medals and set a new SB7 50m British Record. At the British Long Course in March, Emma qualified for 6 final races then followed this up with her appearance at the East Region Youth meet where she won 3 gold medals and broke the S8 400IM British Record. It's no surprise that Emma has gained selection to the British Disability Team as she continually shows herself to be one to watch for the future.