Lambourne's round dozen

TWELVE of the island's likely senior sporting heroes of the future have been nominated for the commi-ssion's top junior sports award. National champions Heather Watson (tennis) and Alice Loveridge (table tennis) are sure to be among the leading contenders for the Lambourne Shield won since the turn of the millennium by Chris Simpson, Ian Powell, Kylie Robilliard and Jeremy Osborne.

'The depth of talent among the nominees is really encouraging,' said Graham Chester, the island's sports development manager.

'We put a good deal of money into supporting our outstanding young talent and it is great to see so many achieving.

'There are a good number of very talented individuals not even on the shortlist,' he added.

Nearly 80 nominations have been received for the 2006 awards night at which former Leicester and England rugby star Austin Healey will be the guest speaker and persent the trophies.

The event is at Beau Sejour on Monday 31 January.