Six months ago Callum Harrogate hardly knew one end of a javelin from another.
But since then he’s developed into one of the best young throwers in the country – already ranked sixth in the UK for his age group.
The 14-year-old from Broughton, a pupil of Cockermouth School, has just completed his first season in competitive athletics with 24 gold medals and a string of titles.
The only times he has been beaten were in the first competition he took part in, and then at the All England Schools Championships representing Cumbria when he finished sixth.
Joanne Foster coached him from February but she soon recognised his potential and introduced him to Border Harriers’ coach Lenny Miller, where he has gone on to star in a host of events.
His list of achievements in his first competitive season are outstanding at Under-15s level – County League champion, County champion, Inter county champion, Northern champion, County Schools champion, Inter County Schools champion, Scottish National champion and sixth in the English Schools Championship.
Joanne said: “My daughter Abigail is a hammer thrower and she is Callum’s girlfriend. He came to watch one night and asked if he could have a try with the javelin.
“When I saw him I thought wow, he could be good. It didn’t take me long to contact Lenny Miller at Border Harriers and the rest as they say is history.
“His grandparents Lenny and Maureen Lamb have been absolutely fantastic, supporting him with equipment and transport and as you can imagine they are both very proud of his achievements.
“He was only beaten in his first league match at Liverpool but the young lad who finished first hasn’t done that again and they’ve met five or six times since.
“It was a great experience to represent Cumbria at the English Schools and to finish sixth against the best in the country at his first attempt was a terrific effort.
“I will start both Callum and Abigail off with their winter training and then it will be back to Border Harriers twice a week ready for the season starting in April.”
