Lauren Jones receives her award from Cllr Peter Newnham and four-time Paralympian Richard Schabel
Worthing wheelchair tennis player Lauren Jones topped a successful year by winning the Cllr Niki Oakes Disabled Sports Personality of the Year at the 2011 Sussex Sports Awards.
The 16 year-old GB junior No.1 was chosen ahead of judoka James Everest and World Champion triathlete Faye McClelland.
Worthing teenager Lauren broke her back in the summer of 2009 and was paralysed from the waist down. While receiving treatment in Stoke Mandeville hospital she started to play wheelchair tennis and was singled out as having a particular talent. In little more than a year, she progressed through the ranks and is now GB junior No.1 and No.6 in the world junior rankings.
A student of Worthing Sixth Form College, Lauren won her first senior title in October 2011 at the Esporta Cardiff Wheelchair Tennis Tournament, where she won the ladies doubles with partner Louise Hunt. Lauren is now training for the Paralympics and is competing throughout the UK and Europe to secure enough ranking points to qualify.
"I have just heard I've qualified for another big competition, so I'm really excited about the future," Lauren told Active Sussex after winning her award.
The award was presented by Heathfield District Councillor Peter Newnham, on behalf of award sponsors Wealden District Council.
"Lauren has shown tremendous courage and dedication in becoming the junior wheelchair tennis number one," said Cllr Newnham. "We wish her ever success in her bid to represent Great Britain at next year's Paralympics."
Video interview by Jay Legate
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