A FORMER world badminton champion was the special guest at a Colwyn Bay school sports awards.

Rydal Penrhos welcomed Olympic medallist and ex-world one Gail Emms to the celebration last month, and she was on hand to speak about her experiences within the sport and hand out a wealth of prizes to the aspiring stars.

A plethora of awards were handed out throughout the evening, which saw Elinor Davies crowned Girls’ Hockey Player of the Season, with Mollie Smithfield picking up the Most Improved Player of the Year accolade.

It has been a memorable season for Boys’ Hockey with a national championship double, and Sam Korram-Sefat and Nick Fiorita took home Player and Most Improved respectively.

Matty Trumper became the first ever pupil to receive half colours in Football, while Llewelyn Cowell received full colours in Cricket with the season just a few weeks old.

Welsh international Reuben Bather scooped the Golf Player of the Year distinction, and Adrian Lewis’ progression was recognised with the Most Improved title.

The talented Zach Speakman took home the O’Donnell Cup for Swimmer of the Year, with Mollie Smithfield and Samiya Garrod gaining half colours in the sport.

Emily Cashell picked up the Netball Player of the Year after a fine season, with Amy Cole-King receiving Most Improved Player and half colours along with Samantha Randall.

Lancashire U18 representative Kieron McNamara won Rugby Player of the Year, and the Headmaster’s Award for international representation was presented to Eddie Farrell, Harry Pulford (both Sailing) and Reuben (Golf).

Rounding off the accolades was the Derbyshire Shield, which was presented to Elinor Davies, with the duo of Henry Maitland-Davies and Alex Benfield picking up the Morphy Cup.