Student making history at Edge Hill University

A long term commitment to volunteering with the Air Cadets has helped a Birkdale student achieve scholarship success at Edge Hill University; after securing 2 coveted awards. A 3rd year History student, Jack Lloyd (24) was named as Edge Hill University's Student Volunteer of the Year in 2017, a journey that began nine years earlier with the Air Cadets. Jack said:- "I joined because my friends did, but after they'd left I stayed because of the new friendships I made and the love for it I developed, and I still haven't left!"

For somebody who has provided such loyal service, Jack is well placed to outline any misconceptions about the Air Cadets, including the suggestion they are merely a recruiting tool for the Royal Air Force.   Jack added that:- "We have parents who think they are signing up their 12 year olds for the RAF, when really they just sponsor and fund us. At no point do we force the kids to sign up. However, the skills they learn will be both useful in the services and in civilian life."

Jack's relationship with the Air Cadets has enabled the University to become involved with the group, an opportunity which has proved beneficial to both parties. The squadron has been able to utilise the talents of volunteer web developers and media production students; who themselves are able to enhance their portfolios and gain sought after personalised references.  "I hope to soon roll this link with the University out to other squadrons in the area so that they, too, can benefit from the skills students have to offer." commented Jack.

Jack was nominated for a Chancellor's scholarship in 2018; being granted ₤2,000 towards his studies; and The Mark Flinn Award (worth ₤500), which benefits students who share a love of history and who want to develop their skills by undertaking a research project that makes extensive use of historical evidence.

He returned to study after 3 years in full time employment, having become disillusioned following college. He joined via the University's Fastrack scheme, and was also attracted by the facilities and support for students at Edge Hill.

Jack revealed:- "The course benefited me massively. The support given to students is great, and I would encourage anybody who is thinking about doing it to do so. It is something that I wish I had known about earlier, and which could be really helpful to people like me who leave college felling like further education is not for them because they received worse results than they expected."

Tommy Fleetwood on shortlist to win inaugural:- 'Sportsperson with a Personality Award' sponsored by KWIFF
Photos and report by Kwiff.

SOUTHPORT based golfer Tommy Fleetwood has been nominated to win the inaugural:- 'Sportsperson with a Personality Award,' the 1st award designed to celebrate sportsmen and women for their personalities, rather than just their talent.  The final shortlist was selected by ex-Wimbledon and Chelsea legend Dennis Wise and features some of the best loved names in sport; alongside some more controversial choices; after award sponsors Kwiff surveyed thousands of customers to compile a long list. In order to feature on the list, the sporting stars had to meet the following criteria:-

► An entertainer, not just an athlete.

► Has surprised fans by going above and beyond modern athlete expectations.

► Has demonstrated charm, charisma and ability to break the overly media trained mould.

► Has transcended sport; can be appreciated by the wider public.

The full shortlist of nominees for the:- 'Sportsperson with a Personality Award 2018' are listed below, with rationale provided by the SWAPA ambassador, Dennis Wise:-

► "Golf - Tommy Fleetwood - What do the Ryder Cup and Tommy Fleetwood have in common? They both make golf fun and for that alone, he's got to be in the running. In all seriousness, his 'bromance' with Molinari lit up the tournament this year; he's a hole in 1, of a kind."

► "Boxing - Tyson Fury - He should be celebrating 2 massive victories this year, but while 1 was denied by the scorecards, his conquering and publicising of mental health issues was a unanimous victory. He may have been denied the WBC belt, but with everything else he's achieved this year; he's the undisputed 'People's Champion.'"

► "Football - Peter Crouch - He might be a Championship player now, but his banter has remained Premier League. Open, self depreciating and very, very funny 'Crouchy's' podcast has shone a light on just how much of a great bloke he is."

► "Boxing - KSI - Sportsperson? Maybe. Personality? Definitely. Not everyone's cup of tea, but his bout against Logan Paul was YouTube's biggest ever sporting event. Loud, brash and packing a punch - does he get your vote?"

► "Tennis - Johanna Konta - She's tenacious on the court, but it's her fight off it that gets Johanna Konta on the list. Be it gender equality or shoddy umpiring, Johanna slams injustice as hard as a cross court forehand."

► "Football - Alex Scott - A legend as a player and in this summer's World Cup, she proved she's a legendary pundit in the making too. Well informed, likeable and by definition a game changer, Alex Scott is a pioneer for personality as well as women's sport."

► "Football - Harry Redknapp - He's been a football hero in the dugout for years and now thanks to the jungle, he's a national treasure too. What's more, he even showed he can survive without Niko Krancjar. Come on 'Arry!'"

► "Boxing - Tony Bellew - He lost his farewell fight, but his humble, grateful, down to Earth approach made Tony Bellew one of the most popular British boxers of this era. He loves his City, he loves his fans and, I believe he's mentioned them a few times, he loves his wife and kids too."

► "Paralympian - Hannah Cockroft - She's gone from track star to tractors on Countryfile, caused giggles on The Last Leg and she's a sporting legend too. Hannah Cockroft's funny, warm and friendly persona has taken her to a new level of entertainer."

► "Football - Charlie Austin - Charlie Austin's on the list for saying what we've always known - refereeing can kill the game. His supercharged rant was something all football fans, from all clubs, could relate to and broke the boring football interview mould. My ex-colleagues at Wimbledon and Chelsea would be proud."

► "Rugby Union - James Haskell - Put bluntly, the bloke is hilarious. Unfortunately injured for most of 2018, the upside was more of 'The Hask' on social media and be it winding up his other half, or taking the pistachio out of his own punditry, he's proper nuts in all the right ways. "

As well as the honour of winning the inaugural:- 'Sportsperson with a Personality Award 2018' crown, the winner will also receive ₤5,000 to be donated to a charity of their choosing.

The eventual winner will be decided exclusively by a public vote, with the winner announced on 13th December 2018. To enter your vote, head to:- Kwiff.Com/SWAPA , but please note that voting closes at 23.59, 12 December 2018.

Speaking as he announced the inaugural shortlist, Dennis Wise commented:- "As someone who played alongside Vinny Jones and John Fashanu in a team that saw off the likes of Peter Beardsley and Alan Hanson, I've seen how impactful personality can be, so I'm really looking forward to seeing who the public respond to. As sportspeople it's always important to remember that while you are undeniably in a results business, you are in the entertainment business too. You don't need to win every accolade within your sport to be seen as a champion of the people, which epitomises what this award is all about. We're after people who don't just win medals and trophies, but hearts and minds."

Daniel Skold, CMO of kwiff, the sponsors of the inaugural Sportsperson with a Personality Award 2018 added:- "Football is the most obvious example, but the increased professionalism in all sports has created a disconnect between everyday sportspeople and everyday people. As fans, we don't just want victory, we want entertainment too. The sportspeople on this list do just that. They kick the status quo into touch, drive boredom into the rough and massacre sporting monotony. At kwiff we supercharge the betting experience, these are the guys and girls who supercharge their sport, taking good to great via their personalities. There's a reason David Beckham will always have more followers than Michael Owen. Be it via their general character, good humour or reliability, we are proud to sponsor the first awards which seek to truly recognise personality and not just those who have won everything. Tommy Fleetwood is a perfect candidate for our shortlist and we fully expect his fans to back him."

In short...

►  The award aims to reward sportsmen and women who are loved for reasons beyond their sporting talent and achievements.

►  A survey of thousands of Kwiff customers , before the shortlist was finalised by Dennis Wise.

►  Winner will receive ₤5,000 to be donated to a charity of their choosing.

►  Voting is now open until the 12 December 2018, the winner is announced on the 13 December 2018. To enter your vote, head to:- Kwiff.

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