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Young Cricketer From Hampshire Wins National Award After Inspiring & Supporting Others
Young Cricketer From Hampshire Wins National Award After Inspiring & Supporting Others
Sophie Leonard was presented with a Lord’s Taverners Inspire Award at a Super 1s celebration evening
A young cricketer from Hampshire was presented with a national award by one of England’s Ashes team after becoming a role model for women and girls with a disability within the sport.
Sophie Leonard, who is 19 and lives in the New Forest, was presented with a Lord’s Taverners Inspire Award by England all-rounder Chris Woakes and Australian comic and Last Leg presenter Adam Hills at a Super 1s celebration evening at The Oval in London.
She was one of just two young people with a disability nationally to receive the award, which is given out each year and recognises commitment to the Lord’s Taverners Super 1s cricket programme.
Super 1s, a national programme run by the Lord’s Taverners which is delivered locally by the Hampshire Cricket Board, is a free and inclusive cricket programme aimed at anyone aged 12-25 who lives with a disability and would like to play regular and competitive cricket.
The Hampshire Cricket Board runs Super 1s sessions throughout the county, including one in the New Forest for women and girls, which Leonard began attending eight years ago after being given a flyer by one of her teachers at Oak Lodge School in Southampton.
Leonard, who lives with severe dyslexia, found school and making friends challenging. She was also lacking in confidence and was initially unsure about trying cricket but decided to take the plunge and go along. She hasn’t looked back. She has rarely missed a session in eight years, has seen her confidence skyrocket, and is now a genuine role model to other young people taking their first steps in the sport.
She has also become a key player for a cricket team which has developed from her Super 1s session and now play competitively against teams from across the south coast. Valued not just for her ability with bat and ball, but for the support, encouragement, and guidance she offers her teammates, Leonard’s coaches say she epitomises everything her team, Hampshire Adders, represent.
Lucy Tillotson, who coaches Hampshire Adders and delivers Super 1s sessions for Hampshire Cricket Board, was full of praise for Leonard. She said: “Sophie has become an amazing young lady, full of empathy for others.
“She is quick to pick up when any of the girls are feeling low or struggling and is always one of the first to welcome new girls, encourage our younger ones, and make sure everyone is OK.
“Girls’ sports need more players like Sophie who want to encourage others to join in, to make friends, and know that although winning is good, taking part and feeling part of a team is far more important.”
Speaking after being presented with her award, a delighted but typically modest Leonard said: “This award is not only for me but it’s for all my people back home and all my team. I’m going to tell them: ‘this may have my name on it, but this is for you, this is about us.’”
Super 1s is supported by the Berkeley Foundation, which recently announced it would continue funding the Lord’s Taverners initiative for a further three years.
To find out how to get involved with Super 1s sessions in Hampshire – or how you can support Hampshire Cricket Board’s work locally – email: hugh.bernard@ageasbowl.com.
