She is away playing tennis in the UK, so dad Ian last night picked up Heather Watson’s third award in two weeks after she was named Guiton Group Ambassador of the Year for 2009. Mr Watson is pictured with Bailiff Sir Geoffrey Rowland. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0912956)

TENNIS star Heather Watson picked up her third award in two weeks last night when she was named Guiton Group Ambassador of the Year for 2009.

The 17-year-old, who won the US Junior Open last year, won her second round match at the Aegon Pro-Series tournament at Sutton, Surrey, yesterday putting her through to the quarter-finals today. Heather’s dad, Ian, collected the award on her behalf and said it was the icing on the cake to a tremendous 12 months.

‘Guernsey has given Heather the opportunities and confidence she needs to make it. I find it so hard to believe what she has achieved,’ he said.

Mr Watson said things had really taken off for Heather since she was crowned Junior Open champion in the US and, when she graduates in June, will be concentrating on competing as a senior player.

‘I think that is when we will see a very determined Heather and what she can achieve,’ he said.

She was one of three shortlisted for the award along with the 201 (Guernsey’s Own) Squadron and international bowling champion Alison Merrien.

Heather won the Guernsey Sports Commission trophy for outstanding performer of the year two weeks ago and last week was named the 2009 Sportingbet Channel Islands Sports Personality of the Year.

When asked how he would rate his daughter’s achievements out of 10, Mr Watson replied: ‘10, definitely. I’m an accountant, so it never goes higher than a 10,’ he said.

• Full report on all the Awards for Achievement in the Guernsey Press.