Going for gold

Sports Personality of the Year Award 

Each year at the Senior Sports Dinner, one athlete receives the Sports Personality of the Year Award. The award goes to someone who has achieved significant sporting success and the aim of the award is to recognise the wide range of talent in sport at the School. 

Students are initially nominated for this award by their Heads of Sport, Heads of Year and the PE staff for performing at a high level in sport both inside and outside of school. They’re also recognised for balancing the demands of their sport with schoolwork and commitments, going above and beyond, demonstrating Loughborough High School’s core values and for giving back in some way to the local community, often through coaching at primary schools. 

The winner of the award is voted for by the school community, including staff members and their peers, after watching a short video submitted by each nominee explaining their achievements. This year’s nominees represent a broad and varied range of sports, including dance, taekwondo, Brazilian Jujitsu, horse riding, tennis and hockey. Hear from some of our nominees: 

Dancing is my greatest passion. It’s taught me discipline, confidence – on and off the stage as well as inside and outside the studio – and a lot of teamwork and resilience.

Sienna, Year 12 

I’ve been practising Brazilian Jujitsu since I was 6 years old which has taught me resilience, discipline and perseverance from a young age, not just in my athletic performance but also in everyday life.

Ruhie, Year 12 – winner of the 2025/26 Sports Personality of the Year Award 

Sport has shown me how to be resilient, learn progress doesn’t happen overnight and going from someone who couldn’t play outfield to representing my country has shown me how far commitment and consistency can take you.

Elena, Year 13 

Between all our nominees, their sporting talent and skill extends to include winning national championship medals, competing in international tournaments and representing England. They are all inspiring role models within the school community and fantastic advocates for pursuing the sports they’re passionate about. 

The sports dinner also recognises the wider commitment to sport across our senior students. Team Captains and Heads of Sport have the opportunity to reflect on the year and present both full and half colours to those students who have demonstrated a sense of sportsmanship and reliability, as well as become positive role models for their younger peers. This evening also recognised the 1^st XI Football team as Senior Team of the Year while Year 13 student, Elena, was awarded the Heads trophy for outstanding commitment to Senior School Sport. 

Both the Sports Personality of the Year Award and the Senior Sports Dinner provide the opportunity for the School to recognise the many excellent contributions to sport at Loughborough High School and we’d like to congratulate every nominee on their fantastic achievements.