Sports Awards

ROWER Lee Harrison is continuing to power his way to success after a fine 12 months.

The 16-year-old Trentham High School pupil started the year in fine style by winning the English Indoor Rowing Championships at the Velodrome in Manchester, where he competed in the Junior 15 single event.

That set the tone for the youngster, who trains every day at Trentham Boat Club – often getting up at 6am to practice.

He said: "I first became interested in the sport after attending a taster session and it all stemmed from there.

"I've done much better than I thought I would do this year.

"Winning so many events has made me really proud.

"Darren Barton, who is my coach, has been a massive influence on me. I have to thank him for what I have achieved so far."

In February, Harrison attended the Great Britain squad trials, where he recorded the fastest time in his age category.

The past year has also seen him win the junior regional trials and regattas in Runcorn and Warrington.

He also achieved first place in the Junior 16 team event at the British Indoor Rowing Championships, held at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham last November.

Harrison also put in a fine performance at the National Schools Rowing Championships, winning bronze, but finishing just a second away from first place.

He received another boost in November after learning that a grant had been approved from the North West Arts and Sports Trust to buy a new single sculls boat from Canada, which cost about £5,000.

Harrison has been nominated in the Junior Individual category of the Sentinel/City of Stoke-on-Trent Sports Personality of the Year Awards by Barton, who said: "Lee deserves to be recognised for his achievements because you can't do much more than he has done.

"He has achieved success at the highest level all year, not to mention all the local events, and has been recognised for his performances with GB camp selections.

"His attitude to training is top quality, because you don't get where you are without the level of training, especially when the tiredness sets in. He has done his club and coach proud."

JON OWEN