Trio shortlisted for Swansea Sportsperson of the Year

Three Welsh international sports people are on the shortlist to be named Swansea Sportsperson of the Year.

Ospreys and Wales fly-half Dan Biggar, Wales netball player Nichola James and international swimmer Daniel Jervis are the trio of elite sportspeople who could win the honour at the annual Swansea Sports Awards.

The Swansea Sports Awards are being held at the Brangwyn Hall on Thursday February 25.

Organised by Swansea Council’s Development and Outreach team for the last 17 years, the Swansea Sports Awards allow an opportunity to congratulate and honour the city’s most accomplished and talented sportspeople. They also aim to recognise the work done behind the scenes by the city’s sports volunteers and coaches.

Other award categories include Community Coach of the Year, Junior Disabled Sportsperson of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

Cllr Mark Child, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Healthy City and Wellbeing, said: “Swansea has a proud tradition of producing great sportspeople. It takes dedication, determination and hours of hard work to maintain the city of sport we know and love.

“Whether it’s the volunteer or the coach who puts in hour after hour behind the scenes, the team which has been the most successful through the year or the sportsperson that has achieved the most in their sport, Swansea is a city full of sporting champions.

“Every year we recognise and honour their achievements and outstanding contributions to sport through the Swansea Sports Awards.

“Once again we received many outstanding nominations, so the shortlisting process was difficult. We look forward to celebrating sports across the city once again at the annual awards ceremony next month.”

Primary School Team of the Year, Secondary School Team of the Year, Junior Sportsman of the Year and Junior Sportswoman of the Year are among the other award categories.

Have a look at www.swansea.gov.uk/sportsawards to see a full list of nominees across the 12 categories. Visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/brangwynhall to buy tickets for the event.

Ex-Gowerton Comprehensive School pupil Dan Biggar scored his first try for Wales in the away win over France in last year’s Six Nations Championship. He also kicked 56 points for Wales during the Rugby World Cup.

Nichola James, who was born and brought up in Swansea, won a silver medal with Wales at Netball Europe in 2015. She also enjoyed a successful Netball World Cup in Sydney, where Wales topped their pool for the first time ever. Wales finished in seventh place overall – their best Netball World Cup finish since 1991.

Swansea Performance Centre swimmer Daniel Jervis beat a field of international class athletes to claim gold in the 1500m freestyle at the British Summer Championships. Currently, he is only one of two British swimmers in the world’s top 15.