A group of 20 talented young people from across the borough have been presented with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award as part of this year’s Sports Awards ceremony on the 9 February 2012. The twenty gifted individuals, aged between 11 and 21, each received up to a maximum of £200 which will contribute towards coaching, travel expenses, entry fees and kit in order to assist them in their future endeavours.

The recipients from various sporting backgrounds including sprinting, la Crosse and boxing have all achieved regional and national accolades; some are part of elite training groups and on course to represent the country at future Olympic Games.

The scheme, which began at the time of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee ten years ago, was created to give young people in the borough the opportunity to excel further in either sport, the arts or a personal endeavour.

Councillor Carl Storer, Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield presented the awards at the start of the annual Sports Awards ceremony; he said: “This has been a fantastic initiative that has now been going on for 10 years and it really gives exceptional local young athletes that extra level of support. This borough is brimming with talent and I truly hope these grants help them on their way to achieving even more.”