The results of the Caterham Rotary 2017 Sporting Excellence Awards for young people have just been announced.

Winner of the first prize is Ylenia Priest currently in Year 10 at Warlingham School.   She has had a passion for ladies’ football and first started playing at age 6 in Croydon. In 2014, she joined Millwall Lionesses as a centre back and was soon spotted and invited to join England Talent pathway. Then last summer Ylenia was approached by Chelsea F.C and Arsenal F.C and following discussions with both clubs she signed for Arsenal Ladies F.C for what was a dream come true for this outstanding young player.

Her Teacher/coach Phillipa Hurst has commented “She is one of the most dedicated and hardworking students I have ever had the pleasure of teaching in my career.”

In addition to football Ylenia has also represented the school at netball and athletics and has reached level 1 as a referee and added to that she also coaches a local young boy’s football team!

She is using her cash award to fund the next stage of her refereeing badges and at a recent Rotary Sporting Awards lunch said

“Football is a huge part of my life. I hope to continue my career on the England Talent Pathway at Arsenal Ladies and hope to inspire more young females to take part in this sport.

It is a privilege to win this award so I would like to say thank you to the Caterham Rotary Club for choosing me as the winner and for the prize. I would also like to thank my teachers at Warlingham School for nominating me and supporting me.”

2nd place in the Awards was Year 9 student Sophie Foster from Woldingham School who is currently under 14 English Ski-slalom champion. She was unable to attend the Awards lunch as she was away in Holland taking part in the Euro-hockey Club Cup Finals at the time.

In third place was year 9 student Amy Davies from Caterham school who is the current Surrey County Champion in 110m, 200m, 400m, 800m freestyle swimming competitions and is ranked 4th in the country at under sixteen 200m freestyle.

PHOTO: Caterham Rotary Judges David Barrett, Sarah Berke, Marianne Woods and Geraint Jenkins with (l to r) Amy Davies and Ylenia Priest.