We are delighted to announce the 2016 Athlete of the Year Awards for the Performance Pathway.

Cameron Booth of NTC and Salamander’s Simone Abley have claimed the Junior awards whilst Jeon-Sa’s Holly Kelly and Owen Turner of Ultimate have taken the Cadet titles.

Nottingham-based Cameron achieved gold at the Dutch Open earlier this year and has since gone on to medal at the German and Polish Opens. He was also selected to represent Great Britain at the Junior World Championships in Burnaby.

“I am really happy to win this award I have worked really hard this year and feel that I have done my best in all of this year’s competitions,” said the Dutch Open Champion.

“I would like to thank all of the GB pathway coaches, my club coaches and fellow team-mates who have supported and helped me achieve this award, their support has been fantastic and unwavering.”

Following on from her golden victory at the President’s Cup in July, Simone has gone from strength to strength – not only did she secure a medal at the Luxembourg Open but the German, Riga and Serbia Opens too.  Simone was also chosen to represent GB on the Junior Worlds squad.

When told of her win, she said: “I am honoured to receive the female junior athlete of the year award.

“It was a great honour to represent my country at the Junior World Championships and I would like to thank all the GB development squad members who have supported me throughout the year, as well as, my club coach who has helped/supported me throughout my journey.”

Talented teenager, Holly Kelly is the reigning British National Champion and has also landed herself 1^st place on the podium at the Dutch and Riga Opens. 2017 is quite an important year for the youngster as she will begin competing as a Junior athlete.

She said, “It’s been a privilege to be on the Cadet Squad, thank you to my coach Nick (Brinklow) and to all of the pathway coaches and staff that have helped me this year.

“I’m looking forward to moving into Juniors and hope to continue to develop and progress as an athlete.”

It’s been quite the year for Cadet European Champion, Owen Turner – from winning his first major competition to getting gold at the Dutch Open.

Upon hearing the exciting news, he said: “It has finished off a fantastic year, I am made up for winning and all the hard work has paid off.

Thanks to everybody at GB taekwondo and to my club coach, Kathy (Hook) for all the help and I hope to take the success of 2016 into 2017.”