Disability

This is the sixth time this trophy has been awarded.  The criteria is simple but the selection is so difficult, given that so many JSAD members have to overcome great difficulties to take part in sport.

Martyn Miles

Martyn, aged 17 years, began his gymnastics career aged 10.  Martyn is diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum. 

Martyn enjoys the repetition and order of gymnastics as this suits his learning difficulties but has found it difficult to make progress through the gymnastics levels because of his severe communication difficulties and problems in social situations.

However, he is a very determined young man and has progressed through to Level 3, the highest of the set routines.  In a recent competition he was delighted to register a 9.90 on the vault, almost the perfect 10.

He continues to work hard in the gym and make progress in his gymnastics ability.

He competed successfully in the 2005 National Games in Glasgow when his mother accompanied him as a carer for the team. He won a gold and a bronze medal.

Martyn’s greatest endeavour came when he was selected to represent Great Britain at the European Youth Games in 2006. 

He travelled to Rome, stayed in places that were completely new to him and with a large group of people he did not know, this time without the support of his mum. 

These are all experiences that Martyn finds extremely difficult to cope with because of his learning difficulties. They are difficulties that can make him become extremely anxious and distressed.

Martyn accepted the challenge and performed extremely well winning 4 gold medals, a silver and a bronze. His smile on the medal podium was brilliant.

At the JSAD Annual Dinner and Prizegiving held at the Merton Hotel on Saturday 17 November Mr Nick Pitman presented the award to Martyn Miles, along with a bursary of £100 to be used to purchase sporting equipment.