Two Leeds Trinity University athletes have been shortlisted in the annual Leeds Sports Awards in recognition of their sporting achievements.
Christopher Rushworth, 27, who is studying Primary Physical Education and Sports Coaching, and Kristian Hargreaves, 27, a Leeds Trinity alumni in Sports Management, have been shortlisted for the awards, which take place on Thursday 28 February.
Christopher, who is from York, is the University Rugby League Captain and has been nominated in the Student Sport Category following a successful season where he represented GB Pioneers on a tour to Turkey. He is looking to follow in the footsteps of Leeds Trinity graduate Charlotte Booth who won the Student Sport Category last year after representing England in the Women's Rugby League World Cup.
Kristian has been nominated in the Special Contribution Volunteer Category in recognition of his work as the University Football First Team Coach. During the four years he's been working with the team, he'd helped to secure two league promotions, enabling the team to compete in the Northern 1B, the highest league a Leeds Trinity team has competed in.
Kristian said: "I'm very humbled to named as a finalist for the awards. Myself and all of the players have a put a lot of hard work in over the four years I've been in charge, so to be recognised for that is amazing. If I win it will definitely be something I will be sharing with players past and present at the club."
The Leeds Sports Awards, now in its 16th year, will see sporting heroes, both professional and amateur, gather to celebrate the achievement of the city after a hugely successful 2018.
Christopher said: "I haven't really been recognised for my ability until this year. Then I was selected for England Lionhearts to promote rugby league in Serbia and to play their national team, and in the same summer I was selected through university to play for GB Pioneers in Turkey. Winning the Sports Award on the back of an amazing year would really be the cherry on the top and great for rugby league to be recognised two years in a row."
Sarah Todd, Sport Development Manager at Leeds Trinity University, said: "We're so proud to have two shortlisted candidates at this year's Leeds Sport Awards. These nominations showcase the hard work and dedication of both our players and volunteer coaches. Kristian and Christopher are a credit to the University and we are thrilled to see they are getting the recognition they deserve at such a prestigious event. To be celebrated here truly demonstrates the high sporting calibre of our students and alumni of Leeds Trinity. We wish them both the best of luck in their categories."
Leeds athletes Jack Laugher MBE, Nicola Adams OBE and Hannah Cockroft MBE are among the finalists at the 16th annual awards ceremony, which will celebrate a hugely successful 2018.
Sally Nickson, Vice-Chair of Sport Leeds and Chair of the organising committee for Leeds Sports Awards, said: "The Leeds Sports Awards celebrate immense sporting talent across the city - from local athletes, clubs, coaches and volunteers, to Commonwealth Medallists and World Champions. This year has proven more challenging than ever to judge the finalists, due to the level of talent and number of achievements across the city."
2,226 votes were received for the Senior Achievers category this year, the most at a Leeds Sports Awards. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at the First Direct Arena, Leeds on Thursday 28 February.