Young Sports Stars Awards recognise local emerging talent

Five years on and The Connaught Telegraph Mayo Young Sports Stars Awards continue what they orginally set out to do – recognise younger athletes who have become high achievers in our community and give some exposure to a number of sports that don't get much recognition.

What is so exciting this year is that a number of very young athletes will be honoured, among them an eight-year-old and an 11-year-old, and that in many ways epitomises what the spirit of these awards is all about.

They are confined to athletes aged 23 or under but they are also intended to recognise those who excel in some of the sports that don't always get the recognition they deserve for one reason or another.

“This year our awards honour 13 different sports, and hopefully that will go some way towards highlighting the achievements of our young athletes in some of the lesser known fields but whose achievements are just as important and significant as those in some of the more popular and more publicised endeavours,” said Connaught Telegraph sports editor John Melvin.

“The main thing is that our young people are involved in sport, which is so important to their physical and mental well-being and will stand to them when they face bigger challenges in their personal journeys through life.”

The Connaught Telegraph Mayo Young Sports Stars of the Year Awards will be presented at a gala function in Breaffy House Resort on Friday, March 6. Tickets are on sale now – call (087) 6582141 for details.