By DAVID COULTER

Last updated at 12:31, Friday, 06 November 2009

FOLLOWING a highly successful season, Prudhoe athlete Stacey Smith has received an award in recognition of her performances by her mentor Dame Kelly Holmes.

Jumping for joy: Stacey Smith takes a well-earned break from the training camp with Dame Kelly Holmes in Portugal.

Stacey has spent the past two years in the ‘On Camp with Kelly’ (OCWK) initiative run by double Olympic champion Dame Holmes, and was recently presented with an OCWK Excellent Achievement Award.

Stacey’s successful 2009 started by winning the BUCS Indoor 800m title, before she smashed her 1500m personal best with 4:17.75 at the BMC Nike Grand Prix in Manchester.

She then secured her place at the European Athletics Junior Championships, in Serbia, by winning the 1500m title at the Aviva England Under 20 Championships.

Despite her participation in the Europeans beinfg scuppered when she fell victim to swine flu, 2009 has been the most eventful in the promising teenager’s athletics career. She was one of just 17 OCWK athletes who received awards.

Dame Kelly said: “It is fantastic to present so many On Camp with Kelly awards as it shows the success of the athletes who are part of the initiative.

“I would like to congratulate Stacey and her coach Mick Woods on her excellent season and I am sure that she will continue to progress in 2010.”

First published at 09:48, Friday, 06 November 2009
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk