Local Tennis Stars Achieve Sports Personality of the Month

Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh has celebrated once again the wealth of local sporting talent, following the announcement of the prestigious Sports Personality of the Month Awards for June and July.

Sponsored by Decathlon, the award recognises the achievements and dedication of sporting stars in the Lisburn & Castlereagh area. The winners are selected each month by the Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh Executive Committee and each successful winner is presented with a £100 Decathlon voucher.

The Sports Personality of the Month winner for June was tennis player, Isabella Connor. The young athlete spent the month of June travelling to international tennis tournaments in Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Isabella achieved her best international result to date on home turf at the Belfast City ITF (International Tennis Federation) Tournament reaching the semi-finals of the Girls Singles. Unfortunately, Isabella lost out to the eventual winner however, she did achieve World Junior Ranking points and is the only Ulster Junior Female tennis player to be internationally ranked. Unlike the majority of European Junior Tour tennis players who are home schooled and attend ITF Tournaments most weeks, Isabella continues with her educational studies at Friend’s School Lisburn where she is currently studying four A Levels. When she is not studying, Isabella is training at least five times per week and competing internationally when she can, usually during the school holidays.

Also a tennis player, Charlie McVeigh was the July Sports Personality of the Month winner. The Dundonald resident is part of the Ulster Tennis Performance Programme and is one of the top Under 10 tennis players in Ireland. Charlie has been recognised by Tennis Ireland as an upcoming prospect and was granted a ‘passport’ to allow him to compete against players in the Under 12 age category throughout Ireland despite being under 10. Since competing at this level, Charlie has won four Single Titles at Under 12 level and two Doubles Titles at Under 14 level. In July, Charlie was ranked in the top 20 National Rankings throughout Ireland at Under 12 level despite still being under 10!

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Sports Development Officer, Faron Morrison said, “The achievements of both Isabella and Charlie have been remarkable. Both tennis players have proudly represented their sport with a commitment and dedication to succeed.

“Isabella has shown hard work and dedication on and off the court. She has been able to represent her country internationally whilst continuing with her full time education. Charlie’s achievements have been outstanding. He has dominated age categories above his age level and gained valuable recognition throughout. Both tennis stars have proven how dreams can be fulfilled through hard work and training.

“I hope these two amazing athletes will inspire other clubs or families to make a nomination and showcase the breadth of sporting talent we have in Lisburn & Castlereagh.”

Entries for the August and September Sports Personality of the Month are currently open. For more details or to nominate, please visit https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/sportspersonalityofthemonthaugustseptember23/ Nominations close on Monday 2nd October 2023 at 5pm. 

Pictured L-R: Decathlon Store Advisor, Nathen Best, Isabella Connor, Charlie McVeigh and Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Sports Development Officer, Faron Morrison.