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Monday 28 April
Issued by Sport Keighley
Over 160 guests from the sportKeighley partnership helped make the second annual Olympic Dinner at Holy Family School, Keighley on Friday evening a tremendous success.
Gerry Sutcliffe MP, Minister for Sport, Ann Cryer, MP for Keighley, the Mayor and Mayoress of Keighley and prominent representatives of Bradford Council, Sport England, West Yorkshire Sport and Sports Aid were among the audience to hear a highly entertaining and challenging speech from guest speaker Alastair Campbell, the former Government Director of Communications and Strategy, who was born in Keighley and who was very kindly giving his time and support to the event.
Alastair spoke of his Keighley origins, the unique time when he was associated with government and of his own sporting experiences, and emphasised how essential it is in all such activities to keep going and keep seeking to do the best, even when times are hard and the going gets tough.
This was an extremely appropriate message for a number of local young Olympic Stars who were guests of honour at the event and who received awards from the sportKeighley Olympic Fund from Gerry Sutcliffe and the Mayor, Cllr Brian Hudson. Jenny Cowan (Diving – part of the GB Team and National Squad, Senior European Champion, 10m synchro, 2008), Mary Fuller (Table Tennis – National Squad Member, ranked 10 in U18s in England, U15 National Top 16 winner), Chloe Hurd (Diving – National Champion and 3rd Place on 1m board at Elite Championships), Jessica Mayho (Netball – Regional Talent Squad), Carly Robertson (Athletics – Northern Schools Champion, Yorkshire Schools Champion, 11th in UK last year), Hannah Shenton (Cycling – National U14 Cyclo-cross Champion, Olympic Talent Team) and Paul Young (Cycling – 3rd in National Cyclo-cross Series, Youth Enduro Mountain Bike Squad). Hannah Mayho (Cycling – 3 times National Champion in Pursuit) was unable to attend having been called up for international duty on the continent). Many of the athletes’ parents and coaches were also in attendance.
The audience were also treated to two spectacular sporting displays, the first from Paul Newby and his “OlympiK Dream” team who brought together World, European and National champions in karate, boxing and the martial arts all living within ten minutes of Keighley. The power, skill and timing of the participants, the youngest of whom was just ten years old, was truly impressive. It is intended that the OlympiK Dream initiative will soon be opening a centre in Keighley for the further development of such talent. Equally spectacular was a breathtaking display of cycle trials riding by Wayne Mahomet from Aire Valley Cycles. Leaping from the floor on to the stage, hopping down a ramp on his front wheel and even leaping over a plucky volunteer from the audience, Wayne showed why he was British Champion in 2005 and has ranked amongst the top 4 ever since.
All of the athletes expressed an overriding aim to make it to London 2012, and it was a great opportunity to try to help support the ambitions of this impressive local talent in a modest way.
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