Colchester teenager Ethan-Beau Howes has won the 2016 Jack Petchey Outstanding Achievement Award – Panathlon’s top individual honour in the London & Essex area.
The 15-year-old collected his award from Paralympic swimming champion and Panathlon Ambassador, Liz Johnson, in a ceremony at the Olympic Suite in John Lewis Stratford City, having been selected from a longlist of the year’s 23 most outstanding Panathletes.
Ethan-Beau is the eighth winner of the annual award, which celebrates some of the most inspirational individuals to compete in London & Essex Panathlon events each year, and was among ten inspirational young people from across three categories to be recognised at the ceremony.
The Panathlon Sporting Achievement Award was won by Jamie Brown of St Giles School, Croydon and Shane Gunesh of West Lea School in Enfield was crowned the Panathlon Young Leader of the Year.
Ethan-Beau, who has autism and multiple diagnoses, said: “When I heard I had been nominated I didn’t think I was worthy. There are so many people who are good at sport. Now I have won it is really good and I’m pleased. My next ambition is to win more trophies.”
Ethan-Beau has not looked back since he started competing with Panathlon last year; he has attended multi-sports, boccia and bowling events. But his top activity is supporting younger students in Primary Panathlon. “My favourite thing is helping younger children to be the best they can be. That makes me really happy.”
Three years ago Ethan-Beau, who as well as his AHD, has a chromosome abnormality, a heart defect and has had spinal surgery, became a pupil at Doucecroft School in Colchester, from the mainstream system after being out of school for an extended period during treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
His PE coach, Andrea Griffiths, said: “Ethan was quiet and withdrawn with no self-confidence, just a shy little boy when he came to us, and very reluctant to participate in any social event and had not done PE in his previous mainstream school. We worked hard to offer him adapted activities and since he joined Panathlon he hasn’t looked back.”
When Ethan-Beau started swimming at the school he was very frightened of the water, due to having a rod in his spine and other physical problems. Andrea and his teachers coaxed him out from the end of the pool. He has since competed in Panathlon swimming events.
He was presented with the top trophy by three-time Paralympic medallist Liz Johnson, who commented: “I understand how hard it can be to conquer a fear, such as swimming. Overcoming this demonstrates the power of sport.
“What makes Panathlon different from the ‘come and have a go’ programmes, is the competitive environment it offers. Competitors learn a lot from having something at stake and the teamwork also helps conquer the fear. A day like today is heart-warming and it is so important that these award winners are role models to those who follow them.”
Helping to present the awards was one of these role models. inspirational youngster Scott Pope, the Panathlon 2014 Outstanding Achiever runner-up. Scott thrived on being involved in Panathlon, taking part in athletics, football, polybat and standing long jump, where he had a great deal of success. Scott progressed from Panathlon football player to assistant coach and led his team mates all the way to the final at Wembley in 2013.
Since his success in the Panathlon awards, Scott is studying a Level 2 BTEC in Sports and Public Service at Barking and Dagenham and is a qualified trampolining coach.
Liz paid tribute to Scott’s great example as an outstanding achiever, saying: “He’s gone full circle in Panathlon and that’s great, because that’s how the Panathlon Challenge evolves and develops. It breeds off the success of its alumni, the people who have got lots out of it and feel it is worthy of taking to the next generation.”
Scott said: “Being involved in the awards has made me even more enthusiastic about sport. I am carrying on with it every single day.”
This year’s Hassan Ahmed Memorial Sporting Achievement Award winner Jamie Brown, 15, of Croydon has cerebral palsy and is an electric wheelchair user. His condition also affects his speech and he communicates using an iPad.
He had just one word to sum up the day and how he was feeling: “Happy.”
His mum Kerry said: “Jamie just loves sport. We can’t keep him away. And helping other children makes him even happier.”
His teacher Fiona Bell of St Giles’ School, said: “I am so proud of Jamie. He is a natural sportsman, gifted in terms of tactics and is great at football and boccia. Panathlon has opened so many opportunities to him; a whole new world. He’s a fantastic leader and always cheers on his teammates.
“He is captain of St Giles’ School boccia team and has helped St Giles reach the National School Boccia Finals in Sheffield. We came 6th because of Jamie, our main man.”
Despite his communication difficulties he encourages younger ramp users in the school and has even designed “Jamie’s Top Ramp Tips” for these children.
Panathlon Young Leader of the Year is Shane Gunesh of Enfield, who has learning difficulties and is recognised as being on the autistic spectrum. He is another young man who enjoys coaching others. “My teacher told me I was a good leader,” he said. “I like to volunteer for young people.”
Shane, 17, transferred from a mainstream school to West Lea School, Enfield, when he was 14 and was immediately involved with Panathlon. Still shy and lacking in confidence he was chosen to play for the school in the Panathlon competitions. A turning point came when he undertook Panathlon leaders training and led at events for two years.
He joined the Enfield leadership academy where he achieved the Boccia Young Officials Award. He subsequently officiated at the London Lords Taverners Disability Boccia tournament delivered by Panathlon.
He is now a young ambassador for the Autistic Society where he regularly helps people with learning difficulties. Outside of sport he is involved in ceramics and dance where he runs these activities for the local hospice. Shane starts Enfield College in September and he sees his challenge to inspire others to get involved in sports and leadership.
The Jack Petchey Foundation is Panathlon’s longest-serving supporter, investing over £600,000 in the charity’s work in London and Essex over the last 12 years. In March this year the foundation handed over a record cheque for £99,958 to the charity, ensuring many more young people can benefit from the Panathlon programme of sporting competitions. The Jack Petchey Outstanding Achievement Award was first awarded in 2009.
The foundation’s head of communications, Sandeep Shah, said: “Sir Jack always says that small acorns become oak trees and that is what Panathlon is about. We see our support as an investment for people’s future. Panathlon offers 35,000 hours of active sport a year and this is so important.”
The Jack Petchey Foundation provides grants to programmes and projects that benefit young people aged 11 to 25.
John Lewis Stratford City has been a firm supporter of Panathlon since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, when it was selected by staff as one of four local charities to support. This is the 5th annual Jack Petchey Awards ceremony to be hosted by the store, which has donated £50,000 to Panathlon over the last four years.
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Winners
Jack Petchey Outstanding Achievement Award.
Winner: Ethan-Beau Hawes, Doucecroft School, Colchester.
Runner-up: Abdulaziz Al Sultan, The Village School, Brent
Runner-up: Eddie Brigden, Shorefields School Clacton,
Highly commended: Harry Bowtell Hall Mead School Havering.
Sporting Achievement Award.
Winner: Jamie Brown, St Giles School Croydon;
Runner up: James Payne, Ruislip High School Hillingdon;
Runner up : Matthew Key, West Lea School Enfield
Panathlon Young Leaders Award.
Winner: Shane Gunesh, West Lea School Enfield;
Runner-up: Mercedes Jacdonmi, St Angela’s School, Newham.
Runner up: Doreen Mukoda Sherwood Park School, Sutton
