A WORLD Cup winner has paid tribute to the stars of the future at a special awards evening to celebrate sporting success.
England Ladies rugby captain Katy Mclean presented elite young sportsmen and women at Carmel College, Darlington, with a host of trophies, cups and shields in recognition of the school’s best ever year in sport.
The Darlington Mowden Park RFC fly half, who led England to their first World Cup success in 20 years in France in 2014, told students that the North East had a bright future ahead in sport.
“I have never seen so many trophies and awards won by just one school,” she said.
“There is such an array of sporting talent right here in this room that the future for sport in our area looks very promising indeed.
“I know from experience that sport can be brutal; it can give you the biggest highs and the most devastating lows but to be a professional sports person is the best job in the world.”
Individual awards for sporting achievements in a host of disciplines included judo, gymnastics, horse riding, skiing, athletics, cross country, dance, football, volleyball, rugby, cricket, swimming, badminton, life-saving, rounders, tennis, biathlon, netball, hockey, table tennis, cycling, sports leadership and diving.
Awards were presented to students from Years 7-10 before special awards, chosen by the PE department, were made to individuals who had achieved high levels of success in their chosen sport.
PE curriculum leader at Carmel College Simon Hanniford said: “Continuing in the Carmel tradition this has been our most successful year in sport ever at district, county, regional and even national level.
“PE and sport make people work harder and achieve more and my message to all of our young people is that you can achieve your dreams here at Carmel.”
An extra special award was also made to former Carmel student Leah Kennedy, captain of Team Northumbria Netball Team, who has recently been called up to the full England Squad for 2015.
Chief executive officer of the Carmel Education Trust Maura Regan and college principal said: “Once again our PE department has had another extremely successful year – they just keep getting better and better.
“When children come to Carmel they are moulded and developed by dedicated PE staff who work tirelessly to nurture the young athletes. All of our young sports stars are a credit to the PE department and to themselves.”
