Sheffield-based ice skating sensation Karla Quinn is celebrating after securing a prestigious sports award in Northern Ireland.

 

The 19-year-old, who is based at iceSheffield, has been named Sportswoman of the Year Award at the 13th annual Ballymoney Sports Awards.

 

The award comes just over a week after Karla, who is originally from Ballymoney, in Northern Ireland, was selected to represent Great Britain at the ISU Junior Grand Prix event held at iceSheffield.

 

In a double boost for Karla, she has also been shortlisted for a second award in the Sportswoman of the Year category at the Ballymoney Council awards later this month.

 

Karla said: “I’m delighted to win this award and it means a great deal to me. It was a real honour to be nominated alongside such a host of other local sporting stars and winning the award was a fantastic way to round of a really successful year for me.

 

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me over the last 13 years to help me get to where I am today.”

 

Karla began skating in Northern Ireland at the age of six years old under the guidance of Margaret O’Neill, who now coaches her at iceSheffield with choreography support from Mark Hanretty.

 

She has gone on to win over 65 titles and medals including twice British Ladies Novice Champion, British Primary Ladies Champion and twice runner up British Junior Ladies.

 

Peter Morrissey, ice development manager at iceSheffield, which is managed by Sheffield International Venues (SIV), said: “This has been a fantastic year for Karla and we are all really proud of her. To win the Sportswoman of the Year Award acknowledges not only the progress and achievements that Karla has accumulated this year alone but the strength of character that she has displayed along the way.”
 
For the latest news on Karla Quinn visit her website www.karlaquinn.com.