Avonbourne Gym Club's Pat Mathie to take her place among sporting elite

Pat Mathie, who runs Avonbourne Gym Club, is one of four people across the UK nominated for the Grassroots award, celebrating commitment to sport in the community.

As a finalist she will attend a glittering awards ceremony in London next month, alongside the likes of cyclist Katie Archibald, triathlete Vicky Holland and golf champion Georgia Hall.

Pat started the club 15 years ago and now has a 600-strong waiting list for one of the 300 places available at club classes held throughout the week.

She set up two sessions a week with the help of a former employer at Bournemouth Gymnastics Club ion 2003 and now has 300 club pupils, teaches hundreds more in primary and secondary schools across the area and has also run pre-school classes at the Littledown Centre in Bournemouth for the last 25 years.

The club has a total of 18 coaches and Pat has taught thousands of pupils over the years, boosting their health, fitness and team spirit.

Now she is hoping the public will vote for her to put her in with a chance of winning on the big night.

The biggest award of the night will be the Sportswoman of the Year accolade with previous winners including Olympic gold medalist Jessica Ennis-Hill, speed skater Elise Christie and cycling star Laura Kenny.

The Sportswomen of the Year Awards are among the most prestigious and influential in the British sporting calendar and are supported by the Sport and Recreation Alliance, UK Sport, Sport England and Women in Sport.

A special judging panel involving sporting stars Rebecca Adlington, Chemmy Alcott, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Helen Glover, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Gabby Logan and Christine Ohuruogu will decide the winner for the overall category.

The ceremony will take place in News UK’s London offices and Pat will be accompanied by her daughter Leanne, who is also one of the club coaches.

The deadline for votes is Monday October 29 at midday so vote for Pat at sportswomenoftheyear.co.uk