Merton Community Awards 2016: Sporty and selfless year 7 pupil Anya Wilén nominated

Anya Wilén, a Year 7 pupil at Ricards Lodge High School in Wimbledon, has been put forward for the Young Persons Outstanding Achievement Award after a wide array of achievements during her first year at the school.

She has joined several extra curricular sports clubs, including the new Hockey Academy, and came first in the school’s charity Santa Christmas Run ahead of older students, as well as fundraising for the Year 7 Sport Relief Mile race.

Outside of school, Anya plays for Wimbledon Hockey Club’s U12 girls’ team and has on several occasions stepped up to play for the U16s.

That, alongside her dedication as a ball girl for the club’s men’s National League first team, saw her awarded this year’s ‘Clubman of the Year’ for her age group.

She has also been invited to participate in the Surrey Hockey Association Junior Development Camps over the summer, and is a member of the Wimbledon and Merton Swimming Club, regularly participating in Pentagon League events.

On hearing of her nomination, Anya said: “I am really excited to be put forward for such a prestigious award.”

Anya’s parents Melissa and Allan Wilén said: “We are incredibly proud that Anya has been nominated for this award and so pleased that all her hard work and enthusiasm for her interests and activities has been recognised.”

Assistant headteacher at Ricards Lodge, Sarah Sawyerr, praised Anya’s dedication and progress in her academic studies as well as her extra-curricular interests.

Ms Sawyerr said: “Her behaviour and attitude to her learning is excellent.

“Anya has 100 per cent attendance and is the only Year 7 student who cycles to school.”

This year’s Merton Community Awards, previously known as the Merton Civic Awards, launched on Thursday, May 5.

It is run by this newspaper in association with Merton Council.

Nominate someone by voting online at www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/mca or fill out a form in the Wimbledon Guardian newspaper.