Louis named Sefton Young Sportsperson of the Year

Congratulations to Louis Cheung-Turner who has been named The Grand Pride of Sefton Young Sportsperson of the Year 2024.

The youngster was recognised for his commitment and success in the sport of table tennis at the prestigious Grand Pride of Sefton Awards at The Grand Hotel, Southport, on Friday (April 26).

During his time as a pupil, first at Great Crosby Catholic Primary School and, currently, Sacred Heart Catholic Academy, the talented player has represented the UK both here and in Europe, winning a host of tournaments along the way and often beating players well above his age.

Now in Year 11, Louis became Table Tennis England National Champion at the age of ten, was in the England Hopes Squad for four years and was selected to represent England at the British Primary Schools International in Belfast when he was 11, where his England Boys Team won gold.

Louis has also won five consecutive Merseyside Schools Individual Championships over the years and represented his schools, Great Crosby Catholic Primary School and Sacred Heart Catholic Academy, as well as the Merseyside Region at five National Schools Individual Championships. 

The impressive roll of honour does not end there, as Louis is currently the Lancashire County Trials U19 Champion and, recently, his Senior British League team, Draycott, became divisional Champions, where Louis held the highest average in the division.

Proud mum, Mel, was bowled over when she discovered Louis had been nominated for the award. Mel said: “I had no idea about it until a couple of weeks ago, when a former work colleague informed me she had nominated Louis for his dedication and commitment to table tennis over the past eight years and for his sporting achievements, including winning National, County and British titles and also a silver medal at an international event in Sweden last year.

 

“It was a lovely surprise and the second time Louis has been nominated for the awards in the same category. The first time was five years ago in 2019, when he was runner-up and presented with a highly commended award.”

Becoming The Grand Pride of Sefton Young Sportsperson of the Year 2024 is even more impressive, given that this year he has taken time away from the sport for the first time in eight years to concentrate on his exams.

Despite having a fantastic night on the Friday, Louis showed that dedication again the following morning when he was back at Sacred Heart for 9am on the Saturday for a Science Revision session, which left his Headteacher Mr O’Hagan to reflect: “Brilliant - the young man will go far!”