DAVID Knott has won the 2015 OCS Young Sportsperson of the Year Award for the London and South East region.

The honour was given to the 18-year-old Paralympian goalball player from Chandler’s Ford at the 2015 OCS Young Sportsperson Awards ceremony at City Hall in London. It was hosted by BBC Sport commentator and former international gymnast Gabby Logan.

Knott first became involved in goalball through helping his brother, who was already in the Great Britain squad, with his training.

His own skills rapidly improved and he entered the domestic league at the elite level. Knott played for GB at the International Youth Championships in Colorado Springs, and subsequently began training with the men’s squad.

Knott is motivated by always wanting to improve his personal best, both for himself and for the team, and says his brother is his biggest influence – they train, compete and work together to win.

Since the awards began in 1998, OCS has made sports bursaries of almost £600,000 to more than 249 deserving young people.

The awards give outstanding young athletes recognition and support to help them with the strain of training, travelling and competing.

Offering independent recognition and financial assistance at the start of their journey when, more often than not, parents and guardians are the solitary sponsor, makes a huge difference.

Chris Cracknell, CEO of OCS Group International, said: “The OCS YSP Award is more than just another sports award offering sports funding and bursaries to young sports people – we take the opportunity to celebrate with our customers and staff the fantastic achievements of these future sports stars.

“In 2012 it was a very special year as we saw 14 former YSP winners represent Great Britain at the Olympics and Paralympics at London 2012.

In 2015 we celebrate our 18th year of awards – supporting tomorrow’s future sports stars.”

Tim Lawler, chief executive of SportsAid, added: “The OCS Young Sportsperson Awards provides a very important contributio