A FORMER Darwen high school pupil has been rewarded for his sporting commitment.

Jack Kennedy, 16, a former Darwen Vale High School pupil, was given the Darwen Rotary Club's Lloyd Initiative Award for his cricket skills.

The annual award ceremony, funded by the Darwen based charity the Lloyd Trust, took place at the Whitehall Hotel, Darwen.

Jack, from Blackburn, was chosen by the club for his commitment to cricket and the additional training he undertook to improve his skills.

The award paid for training and he also received a certificate on the night.

The Darwen Rotary Club has been holding the awards for 25 years and anyone aged between 16 and 19 who lives in Darwen or attends a Darwen school can be nominated for the award.

Jack is a member of Cherry Tree Cricket Club, Blackburn. His ambition is to play for Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Alan Slack, who hosted the evening and was one of the organisers in Darwen Rotary Club's vocational and community committee, said: "Jack was chosen because of his committment and confidence.

"We felt that he would benefit from the award and hope the training will bring him one step closer to his goal. "