Yamba Nipper, Ashlyn Gell, is the first Grafton Shoppingworld Junior Sportsperson of the Month for 2023, nominated for her outstanding achievements on the beach.

Ashlyn excelled throughout the 2022/23 summer representing the Yamba Surf Life Saving Club, who were named the Clarence Valley Independent Club of the Year at the 2022 Clarence Valley Sports Awards.

Showing a mature level of sportsmanship for her age, Ashlyn won the U8 Girls Beach Flags and the U8-10 Buchanan Relay at the NSW Country Surf Life Saving Championships at Forster in January.

She was named Far North Coast U8s Champion and won the Eddie and Joyce Buchanan Memorial Trophy for highest overall points across all age divisions.

She also won the Yamba club’s perpetual Des Eamens Memorial Shield for highest overall points in beach events.

Over the coming weeks we will continue to unveil the Sportsperson of the Month winners so far this year, with the Senior winner for January to be announced next week.

To nominate a Clarence Valley resident who has achieved outstanding results in 2023, download the form featured on the Clarence Valley Sports Awards Facebook page and email cvsportsawards@gmail.com

Meanwhile, nominations are also open for the annual awards including Clarence Valley Independent Club of the Year, Anytime Fitness Senior and Junior Team of the Year, The Ahtlete’s Foot Coach of the Year, and the Holly Butcher Memorial Award for Volunteer of the Year.

The Clarence Valley Sports Awards is an initiative of the Clarence Valley Sports Councils supported by Grafton Shoppingworld and the Clarence Valley Independent.

Other sponsors include Clarence Valley Council, Clarence Canegrowers Association, Anytime Fitness, Loving Life FM 103.1, Clarence Media, Bowlo Sports & Leisure Yamba, Grafton District Services Club, The Athlete’s Foot, Maclean Show Society, Cansdell Signs, Troy Designs, and Tooheys.