A West Cumbrian javelin thrower – on a three-weeks family holiday to Australia – has shown his prowess Down Under.
Callum Harrogate, from Broughton, has been staying just outside Perth with his aunt Laura.
He went along to the local Margaret River Athletics club and did a little bit of coaching.
As a result, he was invited to take part in a competition for the 16 years age group and duly won it, receiving a gold medal and an Australian vest for his efforts.
A pupil of Cockermouth School, he completed his first season this summer in competitive athletics with 24 gold medals and a string of titles. He just turned 15 last month.
The only times he was 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 went on to star in a host of events.
His list of achievements in his first competitive season were 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: “His grandparents Lenny and Maureen Lamb have been absolutely fantastic, supporting him with equipment and transport. They have gone over to Australia to see their other daughter Laura who has been there 19 years and Callum went with them.
“They had organised for him to train at a local club and while he was there he did some coaching.
“He’s had a nice message from one of the athletes to say that she had taken part in a competition after his coaching tips and she did a personal best by five metres and won the overall gold medal.
“When he was invited to take part in their competition he won it and they presented him with an Australian vest to go with the gold medal.
“Callum return to the UK next week when he will resume his training with Lenny Miller at the Sheepmount with Border Harriers ready for the start of the 2023 season in April.”
