Sophie Bingham

Sophie is a hugely dedicated Young Ambassador for sport at The Robert Smyth School. Sophie is also a leading member of the Blaby & Harborough School Sport Partnership Leadership Academy. This year, Sophie was shortlisted for the 'Stuart Linderman Contribution to Sport (U21)' Award at the Leicestershire 'Chairman's Trophy', coming narrowly second in a very strong field of candidates. Sophie has successfully completed her Level 2 Award in Community Sports Leadership, is now undertaking the Higher Sports Leadership Award and currently finishing her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Sophie volunteers every week at her local junior netball club, co-ordinates her own netball team and plays a lead role in the organisation of her school team. Sophie has also been heavily involved in the 'Back to Netball' scheme to encourage adults back to the game. Sophie umpires and leads with great authority regardless of whom she is working with (including boys older than her!). The fact that Sophie has continued to smile throughout this year despite being unable to play netball due to injury speaks volumes about her positive attitude.

Sophie's greatest achievement this year was to lead on a new innovative Youth Games Ambassador Project on behalf of Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport (CSP). Sophie managed and co-ordinated an application and selection process for all Young Ambassadors and Higher Leaders across Leicestershire, Leicester City and Rutland, to apply to become Youth Games Ambassadors at the 2011 Leicester-Shire & Rutland Youth Games. After identifying and selecting over 30 suitable candidates, Sophie then supported the management of their roles and responsibilities on the day. This was a hugely successful pilot project, which added much needed value and support with the running of this event on the day and will now be rolled out in future years. CR