Athletes Crowned Sports Personalities of the Month

Sponsored by Vitality Membership, each winner receives a £100 cheque in recognition of an outstanding achievement in their respective sport.

Sprinter Ben Sykes was named July’s winner. The talented sprinter made headlines on 21st July at the European Youth Olympics, winning bronze in the 100m sprint with a time of 10.57 seconds. This was Ireland’s first medal at the competition and saw Ben set a personal best of 10.56 seconds in the semi-finals, which was a tremendous accolade. During the final, Ben also stayed composed during multiple false starts which was testimony to his medal success. His next goal is now to represent Ireland at the U21 World Championships in August 2026, in Oregon, USA.

The August winner was awarded to athlete, Sean Lavery for his incredible medal success at the World Transplant Games in Dresden. Sean competed for Team Northern Ireland collecting an impressive gold in the 100m sprint and long jump, silver in the 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke and bronze in the 5K run. This was the first year that the Transplant Sport Northern Ireland team competed as a standalone member country of the World Transplant Games Federation and they managed to finish an outstanding 11th out of 53 countries.

Sean’s story reaches beyond the podium. An altruistic donor, he gave an organ to an unknown recipient just two years ago. Alongside his five medals, Sean was also presented with the Spirit of the Games Trophy by the Transplant Sport Northern Ireland Management Team, an honour that reflects both his sporting excellence and his character.

Entries for September & October’s Sports Personality of the Month are currently open. Nominations close on Friday 31st October at 5pm. For more details or to make a nomination, click here. 

Pictured – Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Sports Development Officer, Faron Morrison, Sprinter, Ben Sykes, Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh Elected Member Representative, Adrian Daye and Athlete, Sean Lavery.

Pictured – July's Sports Personality of the Month winner, Ben Sykes and August's Sports Personality of the Month winner, Sean Lavery.