GATESHEAD triathlete Kate Waugh has capped off a stellar year by being shortlisted for SportsAid’s prestigious One-to-Watch Award.

The 18-year-old won silver in the junior women’s race at September’s World Championships, having been crowned Junior European champion at the beginning of the summer.

Waugh’s achievements have followed her move to the Leeds Triathlon Centre in April, and the former Newcastle Royal Grammar School pupil could now follow in the footsteps of double Olympic medallist Tom Daley, who won the inaugural SportsAid One-to-Watch Award in 2006.

“I was so happy to be selected for the top ten for the award because it’s out of so many talented athletes so it’s such an honour,” said Waugh. “Some amazing previous athletes have been nominated for the award, so it’s so cool to be up alongside them in a way.

“I’ve had my best season to date this year and it was really great to be noticed for that and to be potentially awarded for it makes all the hard work worth it.

“I’ll be in my last year of juniors next season so my main goal will be to retain my title at the European Championships and I’d love to get on the top step at Worlds – I’ve got big expectations for myself now, it’s just about putting in the work to get there.

“I found it easy to hide away this year because people don’t really know your name when you’re in the younger categories but after podiuming it adds pressure. I like that though, it will be rewarding to perform under that pressure.”

Waugh is one of ten nominees selected from over 1,000 rising British stars supported by SportsAid across more than 60 different sports, with the winner presented at the charity’s annual SportsBall on November 23.

Dame Katherine Grainger, Britain’s most decorated female Olympian, and five-time Paralympic champion Natasha Baker are among the panel of judges for the award.

* The winner of SportsAid’s prestigious One-to-Watch Award will be revealed at the charity’s annual SportsBall in London on Thursday, November 23. All the funds raised from the SportsBall help to support the next generation of British athletes. Visit https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/pLwwBibXzOWhk for ticket information.