YOU know when someone has been around for a while when they remember a Premiership hot shot as a record-breaking schoolboy swimmer.

Or they can delve deep in to the memory banks to recall the youngster whose dreams of reaching the Olympics Games seemed a million miles away.

Or they can even recollect the days when schoolboy football finals used to be played on Ewood Park!

Harry Sharples is that man who has been around for a while.

Headteacher of St Gabriel's Primary School, committee man on the Blackburn and Darwen Schools Sports Association.

Football fan.

Harry has served on the committee for more than 30 years and is currently secretary of both the Blackburn football and swimming Sports Associations.

"School sport has such a strong tradition in this area and that is something I am very pleased to be involved with.

"Remember the Harry Boyle Cup is widely regarded as the oldest schools football competition in the country.

"Blackburn is steeped in tradition."

Harry is Blackburn born-and-bred and went to Wensley Fold Primary School.

You could say he never left primary school because in 1966 he took up teaching at St Gabriel's -- and has remained ever since.

Now 58, Harry's passion for sport has not diminished or diluted in that time.

In fact, Harry is always striving to improve sport for school children and has a few plans up his sleeve for the future.

"Sport doesn't seem to play that much of an important role in the school as it used to and that is a shame. Teachers are so busy nowadays that sport does seem to be the area that gets hit. We now have to concentrate more of school league tables than results on the pitch."

Harry was elected to Blackburn Primary Schools Football Association more than 30 years -- in the days when you had to be elected and not purely volunteer as they do these days.

A couple of years later, Harry helped set up the swimming association that this year celebrates its 30th anniversary.

"There was always swimming galas for the secondary schools but we wanted to get something up and running for the primary schools.

"I was secretary at the time and it was something I was keen to set up. It did take some time and co-ordinating but something that was very well worthwhile and something that is still going strong today." Over the years the association has always relied on a helping hand from outside and when it comes to swimming that is down to Blackburn Centurions.

"They have been a great help," said Harry. "You do need help, especially today when there are only a small dedicated bunch of teachers arranging events.

"The Centurions have helped with our galas and have acted as time keepers on countless occasions." While the association covers a wide range of sports including netball, athletics, rounders and cricket, swimming and, in particular, football are Harry's main interests.

"I wouldn't like to choose between the two but if I had to it would have to be football. I am very passionate about the game."

The fact that he has also guided St Gabriel's to around 10 Ewood Park finals has also helped!

"I can't remember how many exactly or how many we have won but it would be safe to say we have won more than we have lost."

One of Harry's greatest memories was when he guided a St Gabriel's team to the final that included his son Richard.

"It is a shame that finals are no longer played on Ewood Park. It was great occasion for youngsters to play there -- a memory they would treasure for ever."

Harry is now aiming to make sure the future of school sport is secured by forming links with local cricket and athletic clubs.

"It is important to foster these ties because I think it the way forward for school sport."

And Harry should know.

After all, he remembers that 1987 was the date of the last Ewood Park schoolboy final and he recalls a young QEGS pupil by the name of Nick Hodgson who went on to swim in the Olympics.

And the Premiership hot-shot who once held the Blackburn Primary Schools freestyle record while at St Francis Primary School?

James Beattie of course.

"James was a fantastic swimmer. He went on to QEGS and even joined Wigan Wasps swimming club but then picked up a shoulder injury.

"That is when he turned to football."

He hasn't done so bad since then...and neither has the lad Beattie!