Leeds Beckett University have chosen Manx gymnast Nicole Burns as their Sportswoman of the Year.

The 19-year-old, who has almost completed her first year as an undergraduate of the university, picked up the accolade at an awards ceremony at Leeds United Football Club’s Elland Road ground recently, where she was shortlisted against athletes from a variety of sports including lacrosse, taekwondo and triathlon.

The highlight of Nicole’s debut university gymnastics season came at the BUCS Championships earlier this year where she won the overall women’s gymnastics title with gold on bars, silver on vault and helped the team to finish in bronze position.

Nicole returned to the island over Easter to continue her training with home club Manx Gymnastics Centre of Excellence and during this time she also qualified for the forthcoming NatWest Island Games.

In winning this award, Nicole follows in the footsteps of other notable alumni such as GB triathlete Chloe Cook and hopes to go on to achieve similar successes as she looks to the future.

Speaking after the ceremony, Nicole said: ’I was both delighted and shocked to receive this award, particularly as the other nominees were all very talented athletes in their own fields.

’I’ve been training really hard this year and it’s great to see that the hard work is starting to pay off.

’I’m very much looking forward to the Island Games in June and obviously I’d love to go to another Commonwealth Games so I’ve definitely got plenty more challenges to look forward to.’