Disability

The award

The Jersey Sports Association for the Disabled has a number of awards which are presented annually mainly to athletes or teams who have shown either particular endeavour or good sportsmanship. The awards are prestigious, but not designed to reward specific high achievement. 

JSAD decided some years ago to introduce the Special Merit Award to recognise very high achievement of an athlete with a disability. In Paralympic vernacular, this would be referred to as an Elite Athlete with Disability (EAD).

JSAD have jealously guarded the Special Merit Award, only issuing this on five separate occasions to four different athletes.

The winner

Harry Smale, aged 16, started his gymnastics career at the age of 9 years. He has always been full of fun and initially did not take his gymnastics seriously until it was time for competition.

Slowly it has dawned on him that to achieve the best results you have to put in the hard work. Now, few will work harder than him in the gym.

Harry is a splendid ambassador for people with Downs Syndrome in fulfilling his potential to the best of his ability.

He first entered on the National scene in the National Games in Cardiff, 2001. He got more recognition for trying to sell shampoo samples out of his bedroom window than winning his three bronze medals.

Since then Harry has begun to realise the need for determination and effort in training to achieve success. 

He has continued to represent the Jersey Special Gymnastics Club in regional and national competitions with increasing success.

In 2006 he represented Great Britain at the European Youth Games where he took 2 gold medals, 4 silver and a bronze.

He achieved further national recognition when he was selected to represent Jersey and Great Britain for the Special Olympics World Games in 2007 in Shanghai.

Unfortunately, Harry fell ill during the Games and whilst picking up 2 bronze medals through good performances in classification, he missed the finals through sickness. 

It was a sign of the respect Harry has earned on the national scene that the English judges who knew Harry, campaigned successfully for Harry to be included in the Gala so that his gymnastics ability could get some recognition on the world stage.

However, Harry was unable to accept the invitation to perform as he was still unwell and not fit for gym.

Unfinished business that, hopefully, Harry will get the chance to rectify in Athens 2011.

Harry received his Special Merit Award from His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor on Saturday 17 November at the Opening Ceremony of the annual JSAD Games.