The Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2017 was officially launched this week in Lee Strand in Tralee. This year the awards will be presented at a 20 Year Celebration Ceremony in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel, Tralee on Friday, January 26th, 2017. Since 1998 the awards have acknowledged the achievements of young people from Kerry between the ages of 14 years and 19 years. Awards will be presented for the Overall Winner, Certificates of Distinction, Certificates of Merit and the Voluntary Group Award.
Speaking at the launch Chief Superintendent Tom Myers stated “An Garda Síochána are delighted to be associated with the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards. We often underestimate the worth of our youth who are both innovative and important to our future. It is important to recognise their excellence in the area of sports, arts, culture, charities or caring for a relative or friend. The awards have a positive effect on our wider community and I would like to extend our appreciation and thanks to Lee Strand for their continued sponsorship and support over the past 20 years.”

John O’Sullivan, General Manager, Lee Strand stated “Lee Strand has a strong commitment to supporting initiatives within the local community and we are delighted to support the Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards for 20 years. The awards provide a great opportunity to celebrate and recognise the achievements of the young people of Kerry, who have made a positive impact within their local community.”

The closing date for receipt of nominations is Friday, December 8th, 2017. Any member of the public can nominate a young person whom they feel has made a contribution to their local area. Nominations are accepted from individuals, community and voluntary groups, schools and youth clubs/organisation. The winners will be selected by a panel of judges who are community volunteers from around the county under the chairmanship of Chief Superintendent Tom Myers, An Garda Síochána. Nominations are available from any Garda Station in Kerry; K.D.Y.S. Office in Tralee, Killarney and Listowel or by contacting Tralee Garda Station on 066 7102311. Nomination forms are also available to download on www.leestrand.ie