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A woman from Forkhill has been named as a finalist in the Sportswoman with a Disability of the Year category at the Local Women Sport Awards, sponsored by the Shandon Hotel and Resort.
Rosie Tennyson's nomination recognises her achievements in swimming and multi-sport, as well as her resilience and her role in inspiring others. A mother of five, Rosie's sporting journey follows a series of significant health challenges. In 2016 she underwent a leg amputation due to an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and subsequently relearned how to walk with a prosthetic limb. In 2018, while pregnant, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, undergoing chemotherapy and a double mastectomy, with further preventative surgery following in 2020.
Despite those experiences, Rosie has embraced sport as a central part of her recovery and wellbeing. She trains with Infinity Swimming Academy and regularly swims at Camlough Lake, where she has become a well-known presence in the local open water swimming community. In June last year she completed the Crooked Lake Triathlon in Camlough, earning the Spirit of Triathlon Award for her determination. The achievement carried added meaning given that a serious illness the previous summer had left her hospitalised during the same event.
Speaking about her nomination, Rosie said: "I'm absolutely delighted to be shortlisted. It's a real honour to be recognised alongside such incredible athletes. It's taken me a couple of years to get to this point, and to be here now means so much."
She also paid tribute to her coach: "Swimming and training have given me confidence and a real sense of purpose again. I hope my journey shows others that no matter what challenges you face, you can still achieve something positive. I'm also so grateful for the support of my coach and mentor, Milo McCourt, who has played a huge role in helping me develop and keep pushing forward."
The award winners will be announced at a ceremony on Saturday 11 April at the Europa Hotel in Belfast.
