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Aspiring Rural Leader

Meet the finalists

The Aspiring Rural Leader Award, sponsored by Savills, was open to all members of a YFC committee during the membership year 2022-23. Three judges chose our five finalists for this year's award and we will find out at the Awards ceremony on 3 November 2023 who is the winner.

Taking on a role in your YFC (at county or club level) is an important responsibility and this award celebrates those committee members who have gone the extra mile to support or develop their clubs (or counties) and members.

Ailish Ross

Warwickshire

Ailish leads by example and she has shown great leadership in her role as the County's Finance and Organisation Chair. Leading a sub committee that oversees the fundraising, events and safeguarding, Ailish has done an impressive job of helping the county raise in excess of £25,000 in the last membership year. She also has the position of West Midlands Area Chair, where she has given her support and enthusiasm towards competitions and events. Members say the county would be lost without her.

Ailish Ross

Ella Batey

Cumbria

Ella has taken on a number of roles at a club and county level and has helped to grow Wigton YFC. Ella's focus on developing others in the club is impressive and she puts a lot of effort into doing this. She has also committed time to promoting the club's activities on social media – helping to unite and engage members of the club.  Ella has a can-do attitude and sets a positive example for others to follow.

Ella Batey

Dan Dennis

Devon

Dan successfully changed Totnes YFC's programme of activities when there was an influx of younger members. As Club Chair, he instigated a programme that appealed to a wide range of ages – even getting the club involved in the Performing Arts competition. Dan looks out for everyone in the club and always encourages those who are less confident. He’s been credited for ‘working his socks off’ this year and his hard work has paid off with a thriving club.

Dan Dennis

Josie Mitchinson

Cumbria

The role of club secretary at Raughton Head YFC is a challenge. Organising and planning for 120 members – a large portion of which are junior members – is no mean feat and Josie has done it with aplomb. From a wide variety of club activities to ensuring the club entered competitions such as Public Speaking and Performing Arts, Josie has been the backbone of the club. Not known for saying 'no,' Josie's enthusiasm is largely considered to be the reason why the club has had such a successful year.

Josie Mitchinson

Katie Grist

Devon

Katie took on a large role, leading six YFCs in the Haldon Group in Devon, and worked hard to unite them all through competitions and club programming. It was impressive to see Katie had a vision to enter a Haldon group into the Performing Arts for the first time. Not only did she achieve this, she brought members together across the group, made it to the national final and won second place. Katie has shown exceptional leadership skills in uniting a diverse group, listening and supporting them.

Katie Grist

Winner 2022

The 2022 winner of the Aspiring Rural Leader Award was Jamie Pottow from Wiltshire FYFC.

Aspiring Rural Leader Award Winner 2022

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