Nick Wood of The Lancaster School in Leicester was awarded the Sky Sports Living for Sport Student of the Year 2011 award.

He received the award after being named East Midlands Student of the Year in a series of UK wide regional semi-finals.

The Sky Sports Living for Sport Student of the Year awards encouraged schools across the UK to nominate pupils whose involvement demonstrates how sport has supported them in developing skills such as confidence, respect and a sense of achievement.

Through his involvement in Sky Sports Living for Sport, a free secondary schools initiative which uses sport stars and sport skills to improve the lives of thousands of young people, Nick has developed a new-found sense of purpose and self-esteem.

This in turn has had led to his regular attendance at school and commitment to a new sports training schedule and healthy lifestyle.

Making full use of www.skysports.com/livingforsport, The Lancaster School encouraged pupils who had behavioural difficulties, including Nick, to become sports mentors for children at local primary schools and improve their own confidence and motivation.

News presenter Kirsty Gallacher, who crowned him overall Sky Sports Living for Sport Student of the Year 2011, said: "I was delighted to present Nick with this award in recognition of all he has achieved through his dedication to improving himself and becoming a better student in all areas of his education."

Former British sprinter Darren Campbell added: "The awards ceremony was a celebration of sport as a force for good.

"Each of our regional winners has a very different and inspiring story but each has used the positive influence of sport to improve their lives.

"In my own life, I learned how to channel the focus and determination I have in sport into everything I do – without sport my life would have been very different.

"My heartfelt congratulations to Nick - this award demonstrates how he is equipping himself with the life skills he will need to succeed." 

As the UK’s overall winner, Nick will receive a 3DTV, a year’s Sky subscription, £100 sports voucher and his school will also secure an extra visit from an Athlete Mentor and £2000 towards their next Sky Sports Living for Sport projects.

The 11 regional winners, also in attendance at the awards to collect their trophies, were:

Ethan Ashby, Llandarcy Community Centre, Wales winner

Nahida Begum, Bedford Academy, East of England winner

Emma Cassell, Manor Technology College, North East winner

Charlotte Dale, Macclesfield Academy, North West winner

Eoghan Doherty, St Mary’s Grammar School, Northern Ireland winner

Mark Ferguson, Daldorch House School, Scotland winner

Shaquille Jack, Sir William Ramsay School, South East winner

Abdul Jalil, Blue River Academy, West Midlands winner

Zac Lavers, The Castle School, South West winner

Lindsay McGlone, Balby Carr Community Sports and Science College, Yorkshire & The Humber winner

Yahya Muhieddine, Lampton School, London winner