Please select your home edition
Edition
Haven Knox-Johnston Commercial
Product Feature
TEMO-450 Electric Outboard
TEMO-450 Electric Outboard

SportingWales Rising Star Awards 2012/13

by Hamish Stuart, RYA Wales 8 Jul 2013 18:56 BST
SportingWales Rising Star Awards: (L-R) Ian and Kate Meopham (parents of Ellie) with Alistair Dickson © Steve Pope

West Wales sailor Ellie Meopham has been chosen for one of the top awards for up-and-coming Welsh sports stars, reward for a great season when she has become British champion for the second time.

She was one of the runners-up for the SportingWales Rising Star Awards, a title which was won by Swansea and Wales footballer Ben Davies. Meopham succeeds the likes of Lions star George North and quadruple world champion cyclist Becky James as a runner-up in these awards – such is the high standard every year.

Fishguard's Meopham was competing in the European Championships so the award was collected by proud parents Ian and Kate, with Welsh Sailing's high performance manager Alistair Dickson making the presentation (pictured).

Davies received the Bob Humphrys Trophy for 2012/13 in succession to Olympic gold medallist Jade Jones and European Amateur golf champion Rhys Pugh, capping a season in which he became a regular for Swansea and made his Wales debut.

He claimed the top award ahead of some tough competition, with the other two runners-up being rugby player Cory Allen and swimmer Chloe Tutton.

The SportingWales Rising Star awards are designed to recognise the best up-and-coming talent in Wales across all sports, sponsored by Sport Wales, Cardiff Metropolitan University, the Village Hotel group along with media partners SportingWales magazine.

"This is a great honour for Ellie and we are delighted to collect it on her behalf," said Ian Meopham. "Someone pointed out to her that this year she had a chance to beat all the boys in the British championships, so she set her mind to doing just that.

"Even then we could not have imagined her doing it with a day to spare."

Dickson added, "Ellie has had some excellent results this year and we were looking forward to seeing how she gets on in the World Junior Championships later this year.

"If she sets her mind on reaching the top then she has every chance of following in the footsteps of people like Olympic silver medallist Hannah Mills."

Meopham won the British Laser title for the second year running, beating all the boys to become the overall winner. That gave her a place in the team to compete in the ISAF Junior World Championships, aiming to improve on her fourth place last season.

Related Articles

Welsh Regional Junior Championships
74 boats have a glorious weekend alongside a number of Welsh Sailing initiatives The event was hosted with Dale Yacht Club, Celtic Sea Watersports and Windswept Watersports and attracted a total of 74 entries, including 18 sailors keen to develop their racing skills in the coached regatta fleet. Posted on 25 Jun
Welsh team display winning ways at Celtic Cup
Youth and junior sailors putting their skills to the test against Scotland and Northern Ireland What an adventure! The Celtic Cup 2025 saw youth and junior sailors from Wales putting their racing skills to the test against teams from Scotland and Northern Ireland. Posted on 3 Feb
RYA Welsh Youth and Junior Championships
Nearly 100 sailors took part in an epic weekend of racing at Pwllheli Nearly 100 sailors from across Wales and beyond took part in an epic weekend of racing at Pwllheli for the Welsh Youth & Junior Championships. Posted on 24 Sep 2024
Welsh Dragon Series
Nearly 100 youth and junior sailors took part in traveller events during 2024 Nearly 100 youth and junior sailors took part in Dragon Series traveller events across Wales during the 2024 season to develop and test their racing skills. Posted on 4 Sep 2024
Victory for young Welsh sailors at Celtic Cup
Youth and junior sailors battle at Pwllheli Welsh youth and junior sailors claimed the Celtic Cup on home waters at Pwllheli over a weekend of close competition with teams from Scotland and Northern Ireland. Posted on 13 Feb 2024
Sian Reynolds appointed Chair of RYA Cymru Wales
Making history as the first female and youngest in the role The Royal Yachting Association Cymru Wales (RYA CW) has today announced the appointment of Sian Reynolds as Chair of its Board. Sian's appointment makes history as she is the first female Chair and also the youngest Chair of RYA CW's Board. Posted on 24 Oct 2022
Calling Boating Coaches and Instructors
Encouraged to help COVID-19 efforts by RYA Cymru Wales RYA Cymru Wales is encouraging sailing coaches and instructors to help out in their communities during the current COVID-19 crisis. Posted on 23 Mar 2020
RYA Cymru Wales closely reviews COVID-19 virus
The Youth Nationals are still scheduled to be going ahead As things stand, we have received no recommendation for postponing or cancelling upcoming championships, but we will continue to monitor and follow advice from relevant government agencies including Public Health Wales. Posted on 13 Mar 2020
Huw wins RYA Musto Regional Youth Award for Wales
Huw Farmer, Welsh Number One and now a UK award winner The 15-year-old's success on the water and massive contribution off it at his club Llangorse, mean he was presented the RYA Musto Regional Youth Award for Wales at the RYA Dinghy Show. Posted on 7 Mar 2020
Welsh clubs urged to bid for Magenta Day
Boost female sailing with International Women's Day on Sunday Welsh sailing clubs can still apply to run a Magenta Day to boost female sailing, with International Women's Day on Sunday as a useful reminder to register interest. Posted on 6 Mar 2020