Congratulations to Old Oakhamian Stuart Broad who has been nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2020!
Joe Wicks, who made the announcement, described Stuart as a ‘record-breaking contender’ given his performance earlier this year – which saw him take his 500th Test wicket and become England’s second highest wicket taker of all time.
“We are all absolutely delighted that Stuart has been nominated for this prestigious accolade,” says Oakham’s Director of Sport, Iain Simpson. “This is yet more recognition of his amazing season and outstanding cricketing talent. It is so very well deserved after the many years of exceptional hard work and effort Stuart has put in on the pitch and in training since the age of 11 when he began his cricketing career at Oakham.”
Stuart was the second name revealed in the nominee announcements and soon after took to Twitter to say it was “such a huge honour” as he has “watched the show since I’ve been a little kid”. He joins fellow nominees: Jockey Hollie Doyle, Formula One’s Lewis Hamilton, footballer Jordan Henderson, snooker’s Ronnie O’Sullivan and boxer Tyson Fury. The winner of the title ‘BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2020’ will be voted for by the public, during the BBC One show on Sunday 20 December.
“We will definitely be casting our vote in support of Stuart,” concludes Mr Simpson. “And I’m confident his former team mates and coaches will be doing the same too – good luck Stuart!”
In fact, one of the two coaches who taught him whilst he was at Oakham already holds the title of Sports Personality of the Year! David Steele won the accolade in 1975, following his extraordinary performance in that year’s Ashes. This is another wonderful example of the School’s motto ‘Quasi Cursores’ – ‘passing on the torch’ – or perhaps in this case, the bat.