CI Sports Awards 2019: Meet the nominees for PraxisIFM Rising Star

Five emerging talents from across the islands are hoping to follow in the footsteps of Heather Watson and Matt Banahan by being named PraxisIFM Rising Star at Thursday night's CI Sports Awards 2019.

The PraxisIFM Rising Star prize recognises athletes under the age of 20 with the ability and attitude to reach the top of their chosen game.

Among those in the mix this year are a surfer, who could emulate fellow surfer and 2018 winner Will Masterman, and a weightlifter, the first nominee from that sport in the 18-year history of the awards.

This year's ceremony takes place at Beau Sejour in Guernsey and will be broadcast live across two special programmes on ITV Channel TV (8:30pm and 10:45pm).

Kitty Brewer | 18 | Surfing | Jersey

  • Finished third in the British Cup at St Ouen

  • Represented Great Britain at the ISA World Surfing Games in Japan

  • Achieved a top-20 finish at the World Junior Championship in California

Sam Culverwell | 19 | Cycling | Guernsey

  • Won a maiden Island Games gold medal in Gibraltar

  • Finished 12th in the senior national road race championship

  • Earned professional contract offers off the back of national race results

Tom Deffains | 15 | Swimming | Jersey

  • Set a new junior record to win a British age-group title for 1500m freestyle

  • Shared another national podium with a Tigers Swimming Club team-mate

  • Brought home a bronze medal from his debut Island Games

Charlotte Neale | 15 | Weightlifting | Jersey

  • Broke the British U15 record to win her national age-group title

  • Became the first Channel Islander to represent Great Britain in Olympic weightlifting

  • Finished 14th overall on her British debut at the European Youth Championships in Israel

Alex Scott | 16 | Football | Guernsey

  • Became Guernsey FC's youngest ever player when he made his debut this season

  • Signed a pre-contract agreement with Bristol City after impressing on trial

  • Now part of the Championship club's academy, having been with Southampton as a youngster