THIS year's Jack Simpson Awards presentation evening was well attended by Otley Sports Council members. The award for 'Sporting achievement' was presented by Chairman John Morgan to Catherine O'Halloran, a young athlete who has excelled in a number of events, notably the javelin.

After only three years in the sport she has competed at many different championships and achieved some notable successes. At the start of the year she competed at the Northern Indoor Championships where she came third in the shot put and in the Yorkshire Indoor Championships she came second in the javelin event. She was then chosen to represent West Yorkshire Schools in the English Schools Athletics Championships.

The high point of the year was her selection to represent Great Britain Catholic Schools. This involved a two week stay in the Gran Canary where she was a member of the winning four x 100m relay team and gained a silver medal in the javelin event.

Aside from all the competitions, however, it is not all glamour and glory as a great deal of hard work, effort and commitment has been put in by Catherine and her family, her coaches and sponsors to get this far in the sport. Ultimately Catherine hopes to emulate the likes of Denise Lewis and one day progress to the heptathlon.

The award for 'Service to Sport' was presented by Vice-Chairman Stan Handford to John Foster, a long serving member of both Otley Rugby Football Club and Otley Squash Club. In particular John has steered the squash club through some difficult times when membership levels dipped.

But thanks to John's commitment both as membership secretary, team captain and coach the club is now thriving. He has always had plenty of time and patience to help younger members of the club develop the necessary skills required to improve and enjoy the game.

Pictured left to right - John Morgan, Catherine O'Halloran, John Foster, Stan Handford (S).

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