Every day for the next week PembrokeshireSport.co.uk is delighted to be able to highlight the magnificent achievements of our talented sporting people who were honoured at the 2021 Sport Pembrokeshire Awards evening at Folly Farm Theatre.
 
Today we start with the under 16 categories for girls and boys, to give you just a taste of what goes on in our county.
 
The descriptions have been edited from the ones seen by the voting panel – but still reflect what had work and high skill levels there are here!
 
JUNIOR GIRLS (UNDER 16) SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT:




 
WINNER – GRACIE GRIFFITHS:
 
Gracie Griffiths is a year 11 pupil at Haverfordwest High School and a member of Pembrokeshire Harriers Athletics Club – and is an amazing athlete.
 
She recently won the gold medal whilst representing Welsh Schools at the Schools International Athletics Board meeting in Derby.
 
She also set a personal best and broke the Welsh record, where she was named athlete of the meeting.
 
She is ranked number one at 3000m walk and 3rd for under 17 in the 5000m walk.
 
She has recently completed a "Leading Athletics Course" so she can assist in coaching younger athletes.
 
Gracie is held in huge esteem and won so many high-level competitions following her emergence as a new star in recent years, and it is down to natural talent & hard work.
 
FINALIST – LUCY WINTLE:
 
This year Lucy has emerged as one of the best athletes in the UK, winning a Silver medal at the UK Schools National Finals held at Loughborough University in the 300m Hurdles.
 
She was selected by Wales Schools U17 Team for the SIAB International against England, Scotland & Ireland in the 300m Hurdles and 4 x 300m relay after becoming Wales Schools U17 300m Hurdles Champion and Wales U17 300m Champion.
 
Lucy trained hard, mostly alone, during the Covid lockdown, then travelled all over the UK to compete in as many open meetings as possible. She is indeed a great role model to the younger athletes.
 
FINALIST – JOSIE HAWKES:
 
Welsh surfing events have not been run in Pembrokeshire for over 2 years due to covid.
 
This year in August the Puravida Boarides MIPost Power - 2GO Welsh National Surfing Championships 2021 were held in Freshwater West.
 
This 10 year old local youngster Josie Hawke won Welsh titles in both the U16's and U18's category to show that she is certainly one to watch for the future!
 
Lucy is a year 11 pupil at Ysgol Y Preseli and a member of Pembrokeshire Harriers Athletics Club.
 
JUNIOR BOYS (UNDER 16) SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT :

 

WINNER - DAFYDD PAWLETT:
 
Dafydd Pawlett is ranked number two in UK for U17 shot putt and he has represented Wales and Great Britain this year, as well as being chosen by Team GB & NI under 20’s development squad at the age of 16.
 
Dafydd has had an amazing year competing in the shot putt for Pembrokeshire Harriers, Wales and Great Britain. In August 2021 he represented GB under 20's at the Manchester International and won Gold.
 
He also won Gold at the UK schools international and a Silver representing Wales at the Welsh schools at the Schools International Athletics board meeting in Derby.
 
He has also constantly won events throughout the year whilst representing Pembrokeshire Harriers and West Wales. A phenomenal athlete and definitely one to watch for the future!
 
FINALIST – ALASTAIR DYER:
 
Alastair Dyer had been selected for the Wales U16 hockey team, but the season was wiped out by the pandemic. Finally in mid-June 2021 Alastair, won his first cap with matches against Ulster in Belfast.
 
This was followed by series against England at Millfield and against Scotland in Glasgow. At the end of August the team played again in the ‘Futures Cup’ this time under the name ‘Celtic Jaguars’ in the England Hockey hosted GB wide development tournament, before Alastair then played for Wales U17 at the UK School Games at Loughborough.
 
As part of Swansea Hockey Club Alistair has to travel two evenings a week to Swansea for training, and again in the league on Saturdays, and then Wales development training, which shows total commitment.
 
FINALIST – OWEN RICKARD
Owen Rickard is a year 10 pupil at Milford Haven School and has been selected to represent Pembrokeshire Schools rugby under 16s and he is only in year 10 – and he has worked so hard to get into this squad during lockdown.
 
He has been involved with Haverfordwest County Football Club for the past eight years and also plays cricket at county level.
 
He is also a peer mentor in school and captains the sports TEAMS. To top it all off Owen is such a mature and nice young man, he deserves some recognition for all his hard work in sport.
 
Owen also plays rugby for Neyland and will play almost any sport with available at school.