Sarnian trio up for top accolade

World champion bowlers Lucy Beere and Alison Merrien have been joined on the shortlist by English super-flyweight boxing champion Bradley Watson for the top accolade at the CI Sports Awards.

The two contenders from Jersey are Commonwealth Games gold-medal-winning England netball international Serena Guthrie and Premiership rugby star Michael Le Bourgeois.

Beere earned her nomination having won gold in the women’s singles at the World Cup down under, beating home favourite Rebecca Van Asch in the final in Australia to claim her first senior individual world title.

In contrast, Merrien clinched the 10th world title of her illustrious career with her third success at the WIBC Women’s Singles, defeating Welsh star Kerry Packwood in the final. That made it a remarkable comeback year for Merrien after a prolonged absence due to an elbow injury.

Watson also made an outstanding comeback as he stopped the previously undefeated Loua Nassa to win the vacant English super-flyweight title at the Sheffield Arena. Injury has prevented him from defending that title so far.

Guthrie, who has built a reputation as arguably the best centre in world netball, played an integral role in England’s famous Commonwealth Games triumph against hosts and red-hot favourites Australia, while Le Bourgeois was named as the Championship player of the year before moving from Bedford Blues to Premiership side Wasps for this season.

The main award will again be decided by a public vote, with the winner being announced live on air at the Royal Jersey Showground on Thursday 31 January.

The Channel Islands’ leading juniors, teams and coaches will also be in attendance with hopes of claiming either the Praxis Rising Star, Blue Islands Team of the Year or Source Recruitment Coach of the Year award.

Outstanding young Guernsey cyclist Sam Culverwell is joined by three Jersey nominees for the Rising Star crown – British champion swimmer Isaac Dodds, international para-athlete Grace Greenwood and world championship surfer Will Masterman.

The five-strong shortlist for Coach of the Year includes Guernsey Raiders director of rugby Jordan Reynolds and local triathlon coach Amy Critchlow.

Alderney football player-coach Josh Concanen is also a contender along with Jerseymen Nathan Jegou (swimming) and Ben Silva (football).

Raiders and Alderney FC are also in the running for Team of the Year along with the Guernsey Athletics women’s road-relay quartet and Calligo Tigers swim team.

Islanders can vote for the 2018 CI Sports Personality of the Year by phone using the following numbers:

LUCY BEERE – CALL 0845 60655 01

SERENA GUTHRIE – CALL 0845 60655 02

MICHAEL LE BOURGEOIS – CALL 0845 60655 03

ALISON MERRIEN – CALL 0845 60655 04

BRADLEY WATSON – CALL 0845 60655 05

Votes cost 5p plus your network access charge. Please check costs with your network operator before dialling. A maximum of 5 calls from a phone number will be accepted. Lines are open from 1800 hours on 7th January 2019 and close at 2200 hours during the live broadcast of the Betway Channel Islands Sports Awards on Thursday 31st January. Terms and Conditions can be found at itv.com/terms