Sponsored by North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, this award is for some of the most talented performers across the County, who show exceptional dedication to their sport and have the potential to perform at the highest level. Nominations are encouraged from those who have represented their County/Region/Country in their chosen sport.
"The NWL Chamber are delighted to be supporting the Lancashire Sports Awards for 2012 and wish all the entrants in the Rising Star Category the very best of luck!"
Congratulations to all the nominees!
Shannon Cowen - Trampoline, Jump UK
Shannon has been at the club for the last three years and has progressed well since then. She was the North West Schools Champion 2011 and she has qualified for National Level competition.
Justine Moore - Wheelchair Fencing
Justine was selected to represent Great Britain at the 2012 London Paralympic Games where she took part in the Women's Individual Foil and Epee class B and Women's Team Epee. Previous to the London Games, Justine came 3rd in the Women's Epee, class A at the 2012 Nottingham Open.
Thomas Hamer - Swimming, Burnley Bobcats ADM and British Long Distance Swimming Association
Thomas completed the Chanel Relay in July 2011 at the age of 12 and his dedication and commitment earned him British Long Distance Junior of the Year 2012. He was also the ASA fundraiser of the year for raising £6,000 for the North West Air Ambulance.
Alistair Leivers - Cycling, Blackpool Youth Cycling Association
Alistairs dedication and commitment to his sports has seen him move up through the ages categories and has forfeited racing in the U12 category and moved to the U14 category to better prepare him for the next season.
Oakley Woodhouse - Jujitsu, Go-shin Kempo
Oakley has been in the sports since she was six and at the age of 16, she received her 1st Dan. She has taken part in and won competitions around the world, regularly beating opponents much older than herself.
Rachel Ritchie - Swimming, Ripley St Thomas Academy, Carnforth Otters
Rachel is an exceptional young swimmer who works tirelessly to improve her performance in the water. She has reached the finals of the British Championships in the 100m and 200m events competing against those in the Team GB Olympic team.
Nathan Hawthorn - Cycling, Cycle Sport Pendle
Nathan competes on a national level for Cycle Sport Pendle where he rides track, road and cyclocross. He won the National Youth Circuit series, 8 events at different road circuits around the UK and he won the National Track championship, competing against 30 boys from the around the UK.
Lucy Davies - Swimming, Preston Swimming Club
Lucy is part of the performance squad and she gained 2 bronze medals at the 2011 National Youth Championships. She took part in the Olympic Trails which provided a great experience in preparation for the 2016 Olympic Games.
Holly Jackson - Swimming
Holly is a national standard sprint freestyle swimmer. She took part in the British Championships in March and the ASA British Gas National Age Groups Finals in July. At the British Championships, Holly swam a time of 27.93, the first time she has broken the 28 second mark.
Kate Atkinson - Horse Riding, Endurance Great Britain
Kate is part of the Great Britain Young Rider Squad. She hopes to represent Great Britain in Belgium at the European Championships. She is in her second year of riding and she was chosen to represent Great Britain in the 2012 European Young Riders Endurance Championships.
Robert Holden - Downhill Skiing, Rossendale Special Ski Club incorporating Rossendale Special Olympic Ski Club
Robert is the star performer of the newly formed Rossendale Special Olympic Ski Team. He was selected to represent Great Britain at the 2013 Special Olympics World Games in Korea after winning 3 silver medals at the British National Championships.
Anna Hulme - Triathlon, Triathlon Regional Academy North West
Anna embraces sport and devotes whatever time she can to it. She has been ranked 1st in her age group for Triathlon and has represented the North West in the Summer Nationals.
Isaac Tower - Wheelchair Athletics, Kirby School King Edwards Lytham
Since taking up the sport just over a year ago, Isaac became the T34 national U15 record holder in the 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m events. He received 3 gold's and one silver at England Athletics U20 Championships.