Lily May shortlisted for SportsAid’s One-to-Watch award

Lily May Humphreys - By Leaderboard Photography England girl international Lily May Humphreys has been shortlisted for SportsAid's prestigious One-to-Watch award, in recognition of a spectacular season. The 15-year-old has won the British girls' championship, the European Young Masters and the English women's championship during 2017 – as well as helping England to win the girls' Home Internationals. Humphreys, a member of the England Golf girls' squad, is one of 10 athletes on the shortlist for this year's One-to-Watch award. The annual award, set to be presented at the charity's SportsBall in London on Thursday 23 November, was launched in 2006 and shines a spotlight on the achievements of Britain's brightest young sporting prospects. Past winners include the double Olympic medallist and current diving world champion Tom Daley, while five fellow recipients competed at the Rio Games. Humphreys, who gets a SportsAid grant from Suffolk SportsAid Foundation, admits this latest accolade is one to savour. "I was really happy to be on the shortlist, finding out that my hard work had paid off and that I'd been recognised was just really nice," said Humphreys, who is a member of Stoke by Nayland Golf Club, Essex. "A lot of time goes into it, you have to practice whatever the weather, even if it's raining or cold, you just have to keep going and try to make sure you're improving all the time. "Having SportsAid support has been really helpful, it's allowed me to play in competitions around the country and doing that has allowed me to be picked for England to play around Europe." Humphreys has played in events far and wide, including the World girls' championship in Canada and the Asia Pacific junior championship in Hong Kong - with top ten finishes in both - but she will never get complacent about representing her country. "Playing for England is always a real honour, you feel proud that you can go out there and play, see different places and see different people around the world – it's really great," she added. Humphreys took up golf six years ago and remarked: "I first hit a ball when I was nine, first went on a golf course when I was ten and by 11 it became a thing I was going to do for quite a while – there's been a lot of hard work that goes into that." Dame Katherine Grainger, Britain's most decorated female Olympian, and five-time Paralympic champion Natasha Baker are among the panel of judges for the award.  The winner of SportsAid's prestigious One-to-Watch Award will be revealed at the charity's annual SportsBall in London on Thursday 23 November. All the funds raised from the SportsBall help to support the next generation of British athletes. Please visit www.sportsball.org.uk for details of all the award contenders and for ticket information.