Jacob Dawson wins Plymouth Herald’s Amateur Sports Personality of the Year award

GB Rowing Team athlete Jacob Dawson and Para-rowing development squad rower Ben Pritchard are nominated for sports awards in Plymouth and Wales respectively

Jacob Dawson, member of the men’s eight at the 2017 World Rowing Championships in Sarasota-Bradenton, was named Amateur Sports Personality of the Year at the Plymouth Herald sports awards on 30 January.

Dawson was also nominated in the overall Sports Personality of the Year category, won by cricketer Heather Knight, following a successful year on the water that saw him win two World Rowing Cup medals.

He started the season with a gold at the first World Cup in Belgrade, rowing in the pair with Matt Rossiter having finished second together at the Senior & U23 Trials. After the European Championships, Dawson moved into the eight, winning bronze at the second World Cup in Poznan.

International rowers Jacob Dawson and Ben Pritchard have seen their hard work recognised in the local communities with nominations in regional sports awards.

Meanwhile, at the Disability Wales Sport Awards, Benjamin Pritchard missed out on the Emerging Athlete of the Year award to Para-skier Chris Lloyd.

Pritchard, a member of the GB Rowing Team Para-rowing development squad, made his international debut at the Home International Regatta last summer representing Wales, finishing second to training partner Kingsley Ijoma.