Player heading for success prospers: not bad!

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Word definitions in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
noun EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS ▪ Muscles and joints in the arms and legs suffer too, as every sportsperson knows. ▪ The trophy is presented annually to the most promising young sportsperson who receives training at Meadowbank.

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. Someone who plays sport, regardless of gender.