Radley College pupil Nick Gubbins has set his sights on international cricket honours after being honoured at the country’s top school sport awards during a star-studded ceremony at Stamford Bridge.
The 15-year-old batsman was commended in the Male Student of the Year prize category during the Aviva School Sport Matters Awards and collected his award from Olympic silver-medallist Iwan Thomas.
Gubbins, who is in line for a week’s training with the England squad next year after winning three awards at the renowned Bunbury Festival, including best batsman, rubbed shoulders with the likes of Dame Kelly Holmes, James Cracknell and Sally Gunnell in London.
And after landing yet another top honour at the home of FA Cup holders Chelsea, Gubbins has vowed to do all he can to turn his potential into England caps in the years to come.
“I was delighted to be invited to the awards and I had a great day. I’ve played really well this season, but I was still surprised to be given an award,” said Gubbins, who broke into the Radley under 18s first XI this season. “I want to continue now and get myself into the England U16 squad next season and see where I can go from there.
“I’d love to make it as a professional and represent my country one day.”
And Gubbins wasn’t the only Radley winner, with his coach Andy Wagner, 54, highly commended for an Unsung Hero award.
Wagner, now in his 25th year at Radley, counts Ashes-winning captain Andrew Strauss among his former prodigies.
And he was delighted to receive the award during the fifth annual Aviva-supported Daily Telegraph awards.
“I’ve had the pleasure of coaching at Radley for 24 years and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” said Wagner, who collected his award from World Championship sprint relay bronze medallist Tyrone Edgar.
“I was delighted to receive the award and to be recognised for the work that I’ve done.
“The greatest pleasure is seeing players go on and make it.
“To have the England captain as one of my former pupils makes me very proud.
“ I’m sure he won’t be the last Radley player who goes on to play for his country.
“The award was something I wasn’t expecting, it was a great surprise.”
l The Aviva and Daily Telegraph School Sport Matters Awards recognise outstanding achievements in school sport across the country, and are part of Aviva’s wider commitment to give every child in the country the opportunity to get involved in athletics by 2012.
For more information go to av-iva.co.uk/athletics
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here