Two brilliant bowlers, Gill Platt and Yaz Hasan, were celebrated for their achievements at the recent Sport Godalming Awards, an evening dedicated to honouring local sporting excellence and inspiration in the Surrey based town.
Gill Platt, who proudly represented England at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2023 World Championships, was presented with the Chairman’s Special Award. This prestigious accolade recognised her exceptional contributions to bowls and disability sport, both on and off the green.
Gill, who is a Polio survivor, took centre stage as a guest speaker on the night. She delivered an inspiring speech recounting her journey of overcoming challenges, discovering bowls, and achieving success as a player on the international stage. Her words captivated the audience, highlighting the opportunities bowls offers to individuals of all abilities.
Reflecting on the award, Gill said:
“I was very honoured to have received the Chairman’s Special Award. It gave me the opportunity to promote disability bowls and how having a disability does not stop anyone from taking up our sport. It was a great evening to see so many young people receiving recognition for their sporting achievements.”
Yaz Hasan, Southey BC in Surrey, took home the coveted Sports Personality of the Year award. Yaz’s impressive season included qualifying in eight competitions for the Aviva National Finals and securing victory in the Walker Cup with her county.
The award was particularly significant as Yaz triumphed over strong competition, including Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist climber Toby Roberts.
Speaking about the achievement, Yaz expressed her pride and gratitude:
“To win the Godalming Sports Personality of the Year 2024 was really special, as it has been the one I was aiming for, for the last few years. To be a part of a group of talented sports individuals who were all nominated was an honour, and to be awarded this was just amazing. I cannot thank Sport Godalming enough for their continued support through the years. I am excited to see what the future holds for both the indoor and coming outdoor season, and the focus turns towards the Women’s U25 International Indoor Series.”
Established in 1993, Sport Godalming is a volunteer-led sports council and registered charity that promotes sport in the area and supports both Olympic/Paralympic hopefuls and young athletes through grant funding.
The achievements of Gill and Yaz are a testament to the impact of bowls in fostering both excellence and inclusivity in sport. Their recognition at the awards evening not only celebrated their individual success but also shone a spotlight on the sport of bowls within the wider sporting community.