YOUNG athletes have taken the honours at a district awards ceremony strengthening further their school’s reputation for sporting prowess.
Richmond School and Sixth Form College collected a host of awards at the annual Richmondshire Sports Awards.
A keen cyclist has taken his hobby to new heights after becoming one of the best racers in the country.
BMX Racer Alexander Lillie became Young Sportsperson of the Year after his passion for riding became competitive enough to compete.
The 17-year-old entered the expert class of the North Region BMX Summer Series and went on to take top slot in the series.
Alexander has also competed in a number of other competitive races, coming third in the Scottish Open Championship at Cumbernauld and reaching the quarter finals of the British Championship in Kent.
Rated 7th in the region for 17-29s, the Ravensworth rider has his eye on the top and future Olympics.
“I would love to be national number one,” he said. “Representing my country would be amazing.”
Being a great all rounder is proving to be a dilemma for keen sportswoman Katie Wood – which sport to pursue?
The 12-year-old, of Melsonby, excels in athletics, netball, hockey and cross-country and was awarded Best All Round Female.
Considered a natural talent at sport, she has represented Richmond School at cross-country, netball, hockey and athletics. At the Under 13 Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Indoor Athletics event this year she finished first in the vertical jump event, qualifying for the national finals. There she came third in the relay, 11th in the vertical jump and seventh in the 100m.
She was also a member of the Year 7 netball team that qualified for the County netball finals. The team went on to win the competition and represented North Yorkshire at the regional school games.
“I am involved in trials at the moment to compete in Manchester in the spring and I would love to compete at the Olympics one day,” she said.
Talented cricketer Joe Shields was knocked for six after being awarded Outstanding Sportsperson of the Year.
The 16-year-old, of Barton, has developed into a talented all-rounder opening the pace bowling and batting at number four.
Recent achievements include playing against Australia Tour XIs and scoring 128 runs – the highest score ever achieved by any Richmond School student.
He has taken part in two tours of South Africa with Yorkshire pro coaches, again attaining the highest batting score of any player. While in South Africa he also coached the Township Team.
A member of Barton and Richmond Cricket Clubs, he has played for Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and South Durham and is hoping to catch the eye of Durham with a view to a professional career.
“I have been playing for Hambleton and Richmondshire since Year 7 and would love to play professionally one day making the most of any opportunities that come my way,” he said.
His success continues a tradition at the school of turning out top flight cricketers. Team of the Year went to Richmond School U13 Cricket Team for a range of successes including winning the North Yorkshire Outdoor Cup, the Yorkshire Indoor Cup at Headingley, the North Yorkshire Indoor Cup at Scarborough and the Area Indoor cup at Middlesbrough.
For James Thornton the awards ceremony hit a bull’s-eye as he was presented with the Up and Coming Sportsman accolade for his skills at darts.
The 12-year-old, of Croft, was recognized for his natural ability for the game and he has already been selected to play at county level. James has competed well against youths up to the age of 21 and already won two of the five county matches he has competed in. So far he has achieved 10 perfect scores of 180.
“I started with plastic darts and soon moved up to the real game,” he said. “I hope to play in national tournaments and would love to go professional.”
Elite swimmer Lily MacLeod has already had a taste of international sport and is now training for trials for the Para-Olympics in Rio.
Born with visual impairment, her efforts secured her the Up and Coming Sportsperson accolade in recognition of being a member of the British Para Swimming Podium Potential Athlete Programme.
At the British Swimming International Meet in Glasgow, a para-swimming event open to all nations across the world and a world championship qualifier, Lily performed exceptionally well making five finals out of her six swims and improving her personal best times in all the events. In her 200 individual medley swim she finished a creditable fourth, missing out on a youth age group medal by just half a second.
“Swimming was compulsory at my old school and I really got into it,” said Lily who is in the pool training at 6am and trains in the evenings as well. “I’m hoping to perform well in the Rio trials in April.”
Another talented all-rounder, Abby Blenkiron took the Contribution to Sport award for her efforts in hockey, netball, rounders and cricket.
“I hope to play for as long as I can and would love to represent my country,” said Abby, 15, of Richmond.
Rugby fan Victoria Auger is continuing her world in union by swapping try scoring for coaching.
The 16-year-old, of Richmond, was awarded Coach of the Year after developing her training skills.
Victoria began playing rugby about six years ago while still at primary school but over time made the decision to coach rather than play.
She now regularly helps out at tournaments, attends coaching courses and has been a significant part of Richmondshire Rugby Club’s development of micro rugby during 2014/15 season, which focuses on players aged three to five.
“My father got me into rugby and I did enjoy playing,” she said. “But I find coaching even more rewarding.”
Richmond School and Sixth Form College leader of sport leisure and community Tony Potter said: “Our young sports stars are a credit to the school and provide brilliant role models exhibiting the commitment, dedication and talent needed to be at the top of their respective games.”