A PROLIFIC Rhyl tennis coach and youth politician has been recognised once again for his dedication.

In addition to working as head coach for Rhyl Tennis Club - as well as representing the Vale of Clwyd in the Welsh Youth Parliament - Jonathon Dawes has added a nomination for 'Young Coach of the Year' at the UK Coaching Awards to his busy schedule.

The 16-year-old former Rhyl High pupil will head to the prestigious awards ceremony at The Tower Hotel in London on Thursday, December 5.

Mr Dawes said: “I am absolutely over the moon to be announced as a finalist for the UK Coaching Awards.

“I have quite a busy few weeks. This week I have two award ceremonies. Denbighshire Sports awards and Wales Online Sports Awards both in the category of 'Coach of the Year' and the UK coaching awards as well.”

Mr Dawes was appointed head coach earlier this year after completing his Level 2 coaching qualifications and has since set up inclusive sessions for wheelchair users at Rhyl Tennis Club.

He has independently set up, and run, a variety of fun tennis sessions for pupils after school, and during half term as a reward for pupils with great attendance.

His biggest achievement was running a Tennis Skills week at Rhyl High School, which gave more than 1,000 children the opportunity to play the sport.

In July, his efforts also netted him a 'Young Person of the Year' award at the Lawn Tennis Association Awards for his devotion to the club at The Championships in Wimbledon.

He now joins four other sports coaches and programmes from Wales with 20 more finalists named as part of the second waved for the national wards.

Mr Dawes added: “It is a massive honour and I am so grateful to the selection panel for giving me this opportunity and recognising my coaching on a local and national level.

“I have been working very hard as a coach from a young age with the sole aims of increasing participation through suitable provision, making tennis accessible as possible and helping to create a nation of champions.”