Martial arts marvel Ruby in the pink after Lancashire Sports awards

An incredible sporting year for Ruby Russell of the Lytham Tae Kwon-do club just got even better '“ the nine-year-old has been named Young Achiever of the Year in the Lancashire Sports Awards.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Nov 2018, 15:44 BST
Updated 29th Nov 2018, 17:25 BST
Lancashire Sports Awards winner Ruby RussellLancashire Sports Awards winner Ruby Russell
Lancashire Sports Awards winner Ruby Russell

It completes Ruby’s superb set of accolades for 2018 after she was crowned a double world champion and double British champion as well as English, Welsh and Scottish champion in her martial art. Ruby reached the shortlist of 10 for the county award after winning in the Young Achiever category in the Fylde Sports Awards at the start of the month.The 17th annual Lancashire Sports Awards took place at Blackpool’s Grand Hotel last, where Ruby received her award from Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw. Her category was sponsored by Positive Together. Ruby was accompanied to the ceremony by her proud parents Bob and Dianne, who own Lytham Tae Kwon-do and coach their daughter.Dianne said: “It was a very strong category and I think Ruby was the youngest – she was certainly the smallest. “Ruby had no idea she would win and she made her way home at the end of the night in a pink stretch limo we had ordered as a surprise.” Lancashire Sports Awards winnersCoach of the Year Sponsored by Active Lancashire: Sianna PerryHighly Commended: Alex HowarthClub of the Year sponsored by Spar: Clayton-Le-Moors HarriersHighly Commended: Clayton Boxing ClubCommunity Project of the Year sponsored by Great Places Housing Group: Pilling 20-20 Project Jimmy Armfield Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by The Regenda Group: Marilyn GregsonPrimary School of the Year sponsored by Westholme School: The Redeemer Primary SchoolHighly Commended: Whittlefield PrimarySecondary School of the Year sponsored by University of Central Lancashire: Sir John Thursby Community CollegeHighly Commended: St Michaels CE HighService to Underrepresented Groups sponsored by Newground: Abu Hanifah Foundation Football ClubHighly Commended: Leyland Warriors Rugby Club, The Bowmen of Pendle & Samlesbury Young Achiever of the Year sponsored by Positive Together funded by Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner: Ruby RussellHighly Commended: Briony Holt, Jedidiah LincolnVolunteer of the Year sponsored by The Flower Bowl at Barton Grange: Vishal KarriHighly Commended, Michael Johnson