TWO rising stars of sport from Horsforth are celebrating the award of 'highly commended' in their Young Achievers categories at the Leeds Sports Awards.

Josephine Dobson and Alfie Yates, both pupils at The Grammar School at Leeds, picked up their commendations at the awards ceremony last week. They earned their places as finalists after their achievements at national level in their chosen sports, whilst continuing with their studies at school.

Year 13 student Josephine was highly commended in the Young Sportswoman category. Seventeen-year-old Josephine won the U20 title in the women’s 63kg class at the British Weight Lifting Junior Championships.

Her talent has been recognised by BWL, which selected her for its Youth Development Squad, and nominated her for the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme. The Sport England initiative supports young athletes in successfully managing both their academic and sporting commitments.

Jo, who plans to start university in September, said: "It’s really exciting to be part of the awards evening and feel that Leeds spirit. It’s an achievement to be here as a finalist, I didn’t expect to get this far and be here amongst all these sportspeople I have looked up to."

Year Seven student Alfie Yates is a national boccia champion who was highly commended in the Young Disability Sportsperson category. He is the current holder of the Heathcoat Cup, a national competition for individuals run by Boccia England.

Alfie trains with the Jorvik Boccia Club in York and the Knights Academy in Sheffield, an England training academy.

He said: "To be highly commended is really exciting, and it’s thanks to all my coaches who got me to a top level so that I could be here tonight."