Akym is the top man at college sports awards

On a memorable night for the talented 17-year-old, he also won the players’ player and manager’s player of the year awards for football at the ceremony at the college’s Derby Road campus in Mansfield.

Akym recently moved to the UK from Jamaica – where he’d been part of the under-15s football squad – to pursue his educational and sporting ambitions and quickly cemented his place as goalkeeper in the college’s football team, where he has been a constant presence.

He also plays for the college’s basketball team when there are no football matches, competing in fixtures all over the country.

Akym, said: “It’s a massive honour – I really wasn’t expecting this.

“But I’m really glad I won, for all the work I’ve put in.

“The opportunity to come to this college, and also play for the football and basketball teams, has just been amazing.”

Another double winner on the night was Ben Morrison, 19, who took both the players’ player and manager’s player accolades for basketball.

Sport curriculum student of the year was Lewis Turner, 17, for his achievements on the level three diploma in sport and physical activity course.

Harry Bates was named volunteer of the year after dedicating more than 90 hours of volunteering at Bleasby Primary School, in addition to doing 40 hours of compulsory work placement there.

Coach of the year awards went to Mark Lynk, futsal development officer at Mansfield Town Football in the Community, who manages the college’s football team, and Dan Richards, head coach at Mansfield Giants, who trains the college’s basketball team.

Andrew Proud, 18, won the Ability Counts players’ player of the year award, with Sophie Dennis, 17, taking the manager’s player honours.

The Horse Riding Club’s jockey of the year was Olivia Hayes, 17, with the club instructor’s award going to Phoebe Stirland.

The college’s footballers were named team of the year.

Guest speaker was Ryan Bromyard, a former degree-level sports student at the college, who talked about his job as a school sports officer and coach at Leicester City and the important role volunteering played in his success.

Rob Shaw, sport development and academy team leader at the college, said: “This event is a personal favourite of mine because it allows us to honour those students and coaches who’ve performed so well over the academic year.

“Huge congratulations to everyone that picked up an award, not least Akym, whose hunger and desire to compete shines through.