A Ferndown Upper School pupil who is a talented sportsman has won the 2021 Young Achievers Award funded by Wimborne Rotary in partnership with the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation (JTYAF).

Ryan Symington 17, who lives in Ferndown, has gained significant success in running, swimming and in his chosen sport of Triathlon. In the 2019 National Triathlon race series (six races across the UK) he was placed third, in the 2019 International Triathlon Super League race in Malta he also gained third place and in August that year was selected for the England Next Generation Triathlon Squad, a part of the Triathlon pathway programme.

The award by Wimborne Rotary of a bursary of £500 will assist Ryan with meeting the costs associated with his intensive 18-20 hours a week training programme at several locations. He uses the facilities of Poole Swimming Club and Poole Athletics Club and with British Triathlon having given him Elite Junior status he can also access swimming at Bath University twice a week with the adult elite Triathletes.

Ryan says, “The circumstances of the past year have resulted in little opportunity for me to enjoy competition, but I have been able to sustain my training and the Young Achievers Award will help me to continue doing so.”

Wimborne Rotary president Neil Hutchinson said, “When we introduced this award a year ago in partnership with the JTYAF we were aiming to identify local young people, just like Ryan, whose enthusiasm and commitment clearly demonstrates their capabilities and where a little financial help will enable them to continue with their development.”