Derry Credit Union - Contribution to Sport Award 2024

PICTURED ABOVE: Contribution to Sport Awards -seated from left, are Zara Shiels, Tricia Harkin, on behalf of Mikey Harkin (Winner), Shaye Lily Harkin (Winner), and Lauren McBrearty. Standing, from left, are Braden Nicell, Clara Casey, Amanda Johnston (guest speaker, Social Enterprise NI), Jake Johnston and Amy Cassidy. (Photo: Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

The Derry Credit Union Young People’s Awards took place on Monday, 25th March, in the City Hotel.

The awards scheme, now in its 19th year, recognizes the outstanding work, accomplishments, courage, and generosity of our local young people. It is open to all aged from 11 through 18 who live or attend school in the BT47 and BT48 post code areas.

This year, 90 nominations were received from 10 post-primary schools, sporting teams, family, and friends. 17 individuals and 7 groups were recognized as runners-up or winners across 8 award categories.

Congratulations to all the nominees, runners-up, and winners.

IN PICTURES: Celebrations at Derry Credit Union Young People’s Awards

Well done to the Derry Credit Union Youth Committee for their superb hosting skills. And thank you to all the nominators without whom the awards could not take place.

Contribution to Sport Award Winner – Mikey Harkin

Contribution to Sport Award Winner Mikey Harkin was nominated for his football talent and the way he supports his team. Mikey signed for Derry City in January of 2022 and finished as their top goal scorer. In September of 2022, he was selected to play for Northern Ireland in Poland when he was only 15 years old. He was also selected for the County Derry Super Cup team and was playing in the Northern Ireland Schoolboy Cup when he was targeted by chants from the stands to ‘break his leg.’ Indeed, this was exactly what happened.

Despite his great disappointment at not being able to participate in the Super Cup that summer, he celebrated the success of his teammates when they went on to beat Man United and Tigers in the final and become champions. This experience made Mikey more determined to compete again and he has since returned and been selected to play for Northern Ireland in the Northern Ireland Under-18 team where he has scored in three out of four matches.

Mikey is also admired for the respect, care and support he gives to others. He goes out of his way to support those less confident in his year. When selecting teams, he often chooses a child who least expects to be picked first. On a daily basis, he helps a child with cerebral palsy to get ready for PE sessions and after school matches. He has also supported a child in the local community who had been bullied and helped them change their mindset and believe in themselves again.

Contribution to Sport Award Winner – Shaye Lily Harkin

Shaye Lily Harkin received a Contribution to Sport Award for a variety of reasons. Shaye Lily is a young sportswoman who excels in netball, football, park runs and hocky. Her passion for triathlon, which consists of swimming, cycling and running, highlights her commitment to sport, health and wellbeing.

But although Shaye Lily loves sports and gets a great deal of fulfilment out of it, the greatest winners are the people she shares a team with. Shaye Lily possesses a unique blend of qualities that contribute to her excellence on and off the field. She is self-confident and believes in her ability.

Her inner assurance propels her to push boundaries, overcome challenges and strive for victory.

Despite her many achievements, she always remains humble, respects her opponents, appreciates teamwork, and fully understands that no one succeeds alone. She creates a positive environment for others and encourages their personal growth. As such, she is an inspiration to others.

Contribution to Sport Award Runners-up – Strike Martial Arts

The Team at Strike Martial Arts were chosen as runners-up for the Contribution to Sport Award for setting a high standard for kickboxing in Ireland and encouraging other teams.

Twelve members joined Team Ireland at the World Championships in Germany in 2023. To raise the money to travel to Germany, they organised bag-packing events, raffles and kickathons.

They support other clubs and share their talent and experience across the Northwest. They also support each other and have completed anti-bullying and mental health courses.

While they haven’t always got the results they wanted in competition, they have never been deflated by a loss. Instead, they take each loss as an opportunity to learn, improve and move on.

Contribution to Sport Award Runner-up – Clara Casey

Contribution to Sport Award runner-up Clara Casey started her journey as a sportswoman at age seven.

A superb cross-country runner and netballer, she is also a county Gaelic footballer playing for Doire U-14 and U-16 and an Ulster and All-Ireland 800m champion and Ulster cross-country champion.

Clara represented Ireland at the Celtic Home Nations Cross Country Championships in 2023 and 2024, where she picked up a team silver medal for Ireland. Her achievements are far too many to list here tonight!

Clara is a sporting icon in Lumen Christi College.

Her peers, especially the younger ones, aspire to be like her.

She is very modest with all the achievements and is an asset to our city and local community, flying the flag of success in all she achieves.