IN BRIEF
- F‑TYPE Coupé exclusively previewed at the event in advance of its official UK launch in February 2014
- Andy Murray named winner of "jump off the sofa moment" and most inspirational sporting performance of the year, Sir Steve Redgrave wins Patrons Award for Sporting Legacy and Olympians of the future also awarded on the night
- Event held at the Royal Opera House, London and hosted by British radio and TV presenter George Lamb and Sky Sports F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham
IN DETAIL
08 December 2013. The all‑new Jaguar F‑TYPE Coupé has been exclusively previewed at the Jaguar Academy of Sport Annual Awards ahead of its official UK launch in February next year.
The new Jaguar F‑TYPE Coupé was admired on the red carpet by British stars from the world of sport including Chris Froome, Sir David Brailsford, Dame Kelly Holmes, Denise Lewis and Adam Gemili.
Sir Dave Brailsford, Jaguar Academy of Sport Ambassador said: "I've always had a fantastic experience with Jaguar, and the support they provide to Team Sky is totally invaluable. The F‑TYPE Coupé looks incredible here on the red carpet tonight."
The awards themselves saw Andy Murray receive two new titles including "jump off the sofa moment" winner and most inspirational sporting performance of the year for winning Wimbledon 2013 ‑ the first British male to do so since 1936.
Murray, who is also the hot favourite for this year's Sports Personality of the Year, was unable to attend the event to collect his award as he is currently training in Miami in preparation for the Australian Open, but he sent a video message saying "it was a big honour to win the award as a lot of hard work went into achieving my goals at Wimbledon."
Also winning on the night was British sporting legend and Academy Patron Sir Steve Redgrave who picked up the Jaguar Academy of Sport Patrons Award for Sporting Legacy for his contribution to the British sporting landscape. Sir Steve was presented his award by one of the most influential figures in this area, Sir Keith Mills.
Sir Steve Redgrave, Jaguar Academy of Sport Patron said: "It's not only an honour to receive this award but also to be part of the Jaguar Academy of Sport. The Rising Stars are such an inspiration!"
The Jaguar Academy of Sport supports 50 Rising Stars each year with a Bursary Fund and Mentoring and Education Programme delivered by Kelly Holmes Education. Last night, five of those 50 Rising Stars were provided with Special Recognition Awards due to their outstanding achievements and interaction with the Academy over the past year. Those individuals were disability thrower Scott Thor Jones, rower Jess Leyden, taekwondo player Asia Bailey, gymnast Tyesha Mattis and wheelchair tennis player Esperanza Merry.
In 2010, Jade Jones was named the Jaguar Academy of Sport Star of the Future and went onto win Olympic gold in 2012. This year, young rower Jess Leyden has picked up the award for some outstanding performances including taking gold at the openweight women's singles championship at the Junior Worlds and being 1st in the World Rankings 2013.
Jess Leyden, Jaguar Academy of Sport Star of the Future said: "I'm so thrilled to have won this award, it's completely unexpected and a fantastic end to 2013, a year in which I've enjoyed great success on the water. The support from Jaguar has been invaluable and I have benefited from all the workshops, especially the one at Eton Dorney where I was able to take on advice from Katherine Grainger."
All the latest news from the evening features on a dedicated page within the new Academy website (http://bit.ly/1eArS4l).
B‑roll and images are available to download at http://bit.ly/18udxVQ.
A highlights video from the event will be available on Monday 9th December at 10.00, available to download here http://bit.ly/18udxVQ.
Click here to download high‑res images
(ENDS)
Aimée Hancock
Jaguar Brand Communications Officer
T: 02476 564156
M: 07557
540612
E: ahancock@jaguarlandrover.com
Carla McAlpine
Jaguar Academy of Sport
T: 020 72879610
M: 07718 897803
E: carla@influenceassociates.com
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Website: www.jaguaracademyofsport.co.uk
The support the Jaguar Academy of Sport has provided has made a significant difference to the Rising Stars development pathway, with 33 per cent of the 2010 Rising Stars and 30 per cent of 2011 Rising Stars moving on to Talent Development Pathway Funding.
The Jaguar Academy of Sport has received 'Highly Commended Status' from the Marketing Society Awards 2012, recognising the work it is doing to support the next generation of British sporting talent.
*How to become a Rising Star
To be eligible for the Jaguar Academy of Sport Bursary Fund, young athletes, both able‑bodied and those with a disability, should be nominated to SportsAid for financial support by their sport's own national governing body (NGB). This ensures the Jaguar Academy of Sport helps to support the right athletes, at the right time, in the right way.
Who are the Patrons, Ambassadors and Members of the Jaguar Academy of Sport?
Patrons: including Sir Ian Botham OBE, Sir Steve Redgrave CBE, Gareth Edwards CBE, Denise Lewis OBE and Dame Kelly Holmes DBE, MBE, our list reads like a 'who's who' of British sporting legends. Now they are working together, united in one goal ‑ to nurture the next generation of British sporting greats.
Ambassadors: a selection of Olympic gold medal winning athletes, European Champions League winning footballers and rugby legends including; Rio Ferdinand,Colin Jackson CBE, Jessica Ennis CBE and Jonny Wilkinson OBE.
Members:include David Flatman, Clare Balding and Kirsty Gallacher to name a few, these members are amongst the leading sports personalities who are dedicated to helping young people emulate their success through the Academy.
About SportsAid
- SportsAid is a national charity with Royal patronage that works with the national governing bodies of more than 70 sporting disciplines to identify young sportsmen and women who show great potential. The charity, established in 1976, also works closely with Sport England and UK Sport.
- Typically aged 12 to 18 the athletes supported by SportsAid aspire to be our next Olympic, Paralympic or world champions and are among the UK's brightest hopes for future sporting success. The SportsAid Awards they receive are funded by the charity's partners and donors and recognise their achievements by helping them to meet the high costs of training and competing, which are more than £6,000 a year per athlete.
- At London 2012 almost two‑thirds of the British team were former recipients of SportsAid's support, winning 20 of Team GB's 29 gold medals and 27 of ParalympicsGB's 34 gold medals.
- SportsAid is a registered charity (1111612). For more information visit www.sportsaid.org.uk, follow @TeamSportsAid on Twitter, contact the charity on Facebook, or sign up to receive its monthly newsletter. SportsAid's patron is Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge.
Kelly Holmes Education
Website: www.kheducation.co.uk
Patron Dame Kelly Holmes and her team at Kelly Holmes Education deliver the Mentoring and Education Programme (MEP) with a skilled workforce of specialist tutors and speakers.
The programme is a collection of themed Talent Days and
Workshops which support the Rising Stars to overcome a number of
obstacles they may encounter during their sporting career.
Topics covered include:
External Influences on Performance Seems to be a space in
here
Presenting Yourself to Sponsors
Looking After your Body for Life
Being World Class
Financial & Life Planning
Building a Successful Team
Celebrating Success
