Stars of the Future are Right on Target

The wealth of sporting talent in Halton is reflected in the latest awards to be given out through Target Excellence.

Grants totalling £3,500 were distributed to talented sports people from Runcorn and Widnes through the scheme run by ICI and Halton Borough Council.

Sixteen applicants were successful with investment being made in the future of competitors from 12 different sports, with two sets of youngsters being rewarded as a family.

Judo exponent Peter Lomax, who recently became European cadet champion shared £400 with brothers Robert and Kenny, who are also achieving high levels of performance.

An identical sum goes to Katy and Kevin Ingham, members of the regional training squad for table tennis, at which fellow recipient Ian Heatley also excelled.

Ian enjoyed an excellent final year as a Under 14 cadet, finishing second and third in the North West and county rankings respectively.

Three other sports provided two award winners. In athletics, Julie Hynan has represented the region at high jump pole vault, while sprinter Darren Scott was called up for his Scottish debut after consistent improvement.

They received £200 and £100 respectively while golfers Stephen Corke and Mark Traynor collected £250 each.

Stephen, who has reduced his handicap from seven to four this year, hopes to go for his tour card the year after next; while two-handicapper Mark won all four matches at the counties championship and Hawkstone Park and is aiming for an England place.

Gymnasts Kevin Brown and Marie Wilson, who each received £200, are both members of North Cheshire Brookfields Special Needs Club and have been named in the national display squad for the World Gymstrada in Sweden next year.

Gareth Morton, awarded £100, has played rugby union for the county and trained with the North of England squad; while hockey player Nicky O'Donnell captains the Under 18s North of England team, scoring three goals in an inter-regional tournament at Bedford last month.

Nicky, who also plays in the Women's Premier League for High town, collected £200; as did windsurfer Paul Hopkins who continues to compete successfully in regional competitions, taking ninth place in an event in North Wales.

Ice skater Melissa McGlynn has won all three competitions in which she has competed this year and aims to take her silver elements in the next couple of months.

Her target Excellence award is £200, while Joseph Orme earned £250, having overcome personal adversity to be selected for the British disable ski-ing squad.

Grants of £200 go to motorsport stars Ian Lewis and Matthew Sherwen. After a long term injury, Ian aims to compete in the 125cc British Championship in which he is a former third-placed finisher, while karter Matthew gained an excellent 12th place in the high-profile Champions of the Future series.  

Weekly News, Runcorn

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