Former Plymouth College pupil, Henry Slade, has been named Young Sports Personality of the Year in the Herald Sports Awards. Henry received his Award at a glittering ceremony at the Pavilions, which was attended by more than 400 people and was hosted by champion hurdler and sporting great, Sally Gunnell.
The U20 England star is signed to Exeter Chiefs but is dual-registered with Plymouth Albion. In his last season with Plymouth College First XV, Henry helped the team reach the quarter finals of the Daily Mail Cup and was part of the Daily Mail Dream Team 2010-2011. He is currently studying at Exeter University after achieving 3 A levels and the DipFs last summer.
Henry featured in one of the toughest categories of the Awards, which included another former pupil, swimmer Grant Halsall and current pupil, Ruta Mellutyte, also a swimmer.
Plymouth College pupil and champion diver, Tom Daley, took the Champagne Moment honours for his gold-winning syncro performance with Pete Waterfield at the British leg of the Diving World Cup series. A former winner of both the Young Sports Personality and the main Sports Personality awards, Tom was unable to attend the ceremony as he is training in Australia. Henry Slade was also shortlisted in this category for scoring a try against Cornish Pirates in his Championship debut for Albion.
The Coach of the Year category featured Plymouth College's Directors of Swimming and Modern Pentathlon, Jon Rudd and Andy Hill. Plymouth College sponsors the Team of the Year category, which was won by Plymouth Argyle Ladies. The overall winner this year was diver, Tonia Couch.
"I was very proud to see Plymouth College feature so strongly in these prestigious Awards and delighted that Henry and Tom were triumphant", said Plymouth College Headmaster, Dr Simon Wormleighton. "Sport is very much part of the fabric of life at Plymouth College and we encourage participation from those wanting to test the water with something new through to nurturing those at the top of their game."
Photograph: L to R Dr Simon Wormleighton (Plymouth College Headmaster), John Slade, Henry Slade, Richard Edwards (Plymouth College Director of Rugby)
