Rising Star Award Winners Back row (l-r): Callum Pascoe (rugby union), Mobin Khalafzadeh (boxing), Sauveur Kande (basketball), Philip Brantingham (rugby union), Ross Charlton (pentathlon). Middle row (l-r): Poppy Deakin (show jumping), Ciara Boaden (cricket), Nesta Baxter (kick-boxing), Matthew Longstaff (football, Jack Hixon trophy), Abbie Bolam (teamgym), Jazmine Moss (athletics). Front row (l-r): Steve Harper (Sport Newcastle trustee), Laura Hodgson (swimming), Sean Longst

St Mary's Catholic School student Joy Eze was awarded a platinum scholars award at the Annual Awards Dinner at Newcastle Civic Centre. She is seen here receiving her 'big' cheque from 1984 Olympic 1000m silver medalist, Mike McLeod. Joy has been on Sport Newcastle’s ‘radar’ since she won a Rising Star award in 2017 as a 12 year old. Joy, a Gateshead Harrier, came to prominence after winning several regional age group sprint titles, coming 2nd in the Scottish indoor 60m and en