Meet Sure's Rising Stars for the 2023 Betway Channel Islands Sports Awards

  • ITV Channel's Keilan Webster takes a look at some of the islands' most promising young athletes

The future of sport in both Bailiwicks is in good hands judging by the nominees for this year's Sure Rising Star prize at the 2023 Betway Channel Islands Sports Awards.

Footballer Jack Griffin, triathlete Luke Holmes, swimmer Filip Nowacki, and cricketer Asa Tribe have all been shortlisted.

Luke won gold in the triathlon at both the Commonwealth Youth Games and NatWest International Island Games for Jersey, as well as a relay bronze in the former competition.

He is now officially the best British triathlete in his age group.

Luke says: "It's been quite a successful year. Triathlon is always quite a long season so you go into it with quite a lot of anticipation.

"But looking back, I think I achieved all of the goals I wanted to do so I'd say it's been a success."

It was also a year to remember for swimmer Filip Nowacki.

He won two silvers and a bronze at the Commonwealth Youth Games for Jersey, becoming the first Channel Islander to win three medals at the event.

During the year, he also broke the British age group record in the 200m backstroke by winning silver at the European Youth Olympics.

Filip explains: "It's a great feeling when you touch the time pad and look up at the scoreboard and it has a number on and you're on the podium.

"It's a great privilege being able to represent Jersey and Tigers Swimming Club as well."

Guernsey footballer Jack Griffin is another of this year's nominees.

After a successful 2023 in which he became Guernsey FC's youngest-ever goalscorer, he has since followed in the footsteps of fellow Sarnian Alex Scott and signed for Bristol City.

Jack says: "I've just got loads of highlights. It's been an amazing season and year. My debut goal is definitely up there."

The fourth finalist for Sure Rising Star is cricketer Asa Tribe who hit his maiden one-day international hundred for Jersey last year, while also reaching that milestone twice for Glenmorgan's second team.

He has since won a professional contract for the county side.

Asa says: "I had one of the seasons of my life. It didn't start off as well as I'd hoped, I had two T20s with Glenmorgan and they didn't go quite as well as I wanted them to but then they gave me an opportunity and I took it with both hands."

Award categories

🏆 Betway Channel Islands Sports Personality of the Year

  • Nominees for the main award of the night are likely to have performed well outside of the islands, though high performers at a local level will be considered.

  • The person needs to either have been born in one of the islands, lived in the islands for the year in question, or have very close relationships with one of the islands.

  • The winner will be decided by a public phone vote and announced live at the event.

🌟 Sure Rising Star

  • This award - which is decided by a panel of judges - is designed to recognise a young athlete who has the ability and attitude to make it to the top in their chosen sport.

  • The person needs to either have been born in the islands or lived in one of the islands for the last year and be under the age of 20 on 31 December 2023.

  • High performance at a national or international level will have a bearing on the decision.

👩‍👩‍👧‍👧 Grant Thornton Team of the Year

  • Any team of two or more people competing in the same event will be considered by the judging panel for this prize.

  • Performance at a national or international level is likely to have more bearing than at a local level. However, local performances will not be discounted.

🙋 Coach of the Year

  • Four coaches based within the Channel Islands will be selected by the team of judges.

  • The performance of a coach's team or athletes will be a significant consideration.

  • Their achievement with the resources available to them will also be taken into account.

🏅 Michael Lucas Sporting Hero

  • This award is for someone who, in the eyes of the judges, has put more into their sport than could be expected.

  • The winner is likely to be an ‘unsung hero’.

  • Nominations are sought from across Channel Islands sports, however, the winner will usually come from the island in which the awards are being held.