SOCCER star Samantha Jones scored a winner when she lifted Blackpool Borough Council's Quayle Trophy last Saturday (November 2).

Former Collegiate High School pupil Sam, 16, is studying sports-related A'levels at St Albans College of FE. She is sponsored by Arsenal Women's Football Club and trains for more than three hours every day.

Sam captained the winning England Ladies under-17s team at Lilleshall in the summer and has represented Blackpool in the final of the Adidas Predator Cup at Wembley.

She hopes eventually either to get a place at Loughborough University or to study in the USA.

"Women's football is massive in the States, it has the same focus as men's football," says Manchester United supporter, Sam.

"But I know I haven't much hope of becoming a professional player as there are too many sexist men in the world. I'll probably study to be a sports coach or physio," she adds.

The annual Quayle presentations acknowledge outstanding sporting successes achieved by young people who live in Blackpool.

Quayle award winners for regional and local achievements are:

Ravenna Windridge, 16, of the 177 (Blackpool Airport) Squadron Air Training Corps , who was nominated for her multi-sports achievements.

Karl Edwards, 14, of Montgomery High School Language College, an 800-metre runner and the under-15s Lancashire Champion.

Footballer and athlete, Daniel Swift, 14, of Collegiate High School Sports College is Blackpool FC's School of Excellence manager's player of the year. He is the current 100, 200 and 400-metre Blackpool Schools Championships holder.

The Quayle Shield winner is multi-sports athlete Kelly-May Singleton, 11, of Revoe Primary School.

Runners-up are biathlon competitor Stacey Ormerod, 11, of Anchorsholme Primary School and Blackpool and Fylde Athletic Club member, Roxanne Walby, 12, of Montgomery High School Language College.