Lipson student wins ‘Young Ambassador of the
Year’ at The Plymouth School Sports Partnership
Sports Leaders Awards
AWARD : The Tonia Couch Award for Young Ambassador of the Year
Ben Longworth – Lipson Co-operative Academy.
On Wednesday 22nd March, The Plymouth School Sports Partnership held their Leadership Reward day in partnership with the University of Plymouth, followed by a rewards ceremony at The Sherwell Centre. It was with great pleasure that we watched our student, Ben Longworth, receive his well deserved accolade. Ben is one of our current gold ambassadors at Lipson Co-operative Academy. He is a well driven, passionate sports leader who always knows how to get the best out of individuals. He recognises all the hard work his coaches and teachers have put in to develop Ben as a Hockey player and really wanted to give something back to see others achieve and receive the same opportunities he has had.
Ben has had a real passion for hockey since the age of 6 when he joined Marjon Hockey Club and has progressed since then. His playing achievements are phenomenal, he has reached an elite level by playing and touring with the UK Lions team and most currently is part of the England Hockey Board Performance programme.
Despite this level of commitment to training and playing up and down the country, Ben still finds time to volunteer and pass on his expertise in and out of school to develop Hockey and other sports we offer in our programme.
Principal, Mrs Lynda Budd, said, “Ben works closely with the rest of the leadership academy in running primary events at Lipson but can often be found in our extra-curricular hockey club on a Wednesday coaching students and really developing skill level. He is an asset to Lipson to not only have such a talented player, but more so that is willing to give up his time to help others to get where he is. He works tirelessly to develop students not just as players but as human beings which is a credit to someone so young. Alongside his leadership qualities, Ben is also developing and showing his skills whilst completing the Duke of Edinburgh and is an integral part of this year ten tours team.”
As well as his leadership commitments to school he helps umpire and coach in his own time. His umpiring experiences to date are:
- Plymouth Primary School Hockey festival, an annual 2-day event 2014
- Plymouth Primary School Hockey festival, an annual 2-day event 2015
- Plymouth Primary School Hockey festival, an annual 2-day event 2016 including running of the fixtures and other umpires.
Coaching experiences to date are: -
- 2 hours weekly Sunday- Marjon Hockey, with children aged 4 -12 -since 2012
- 1 hour weekly Tuesday- Marjon Hockey, with children aged 6-10 -since Sep 16
- 1 hour weekly Tuesday- Plympton St Maurice Primary aged 8-11 Sep 14 – Jan 16
“Ben really does care, he is an intelligent young man who really goes above and beyond to help and support others. He is a humble and honest role model to students at Lipson who always finds time to help others. He deserves to be recognised for all the hard work he has put in over the years in developing our leadership academy and the additional support he has given to Hockey not just in school but across the City.”