Basildon AC's Helen Smith has picked up the first major award of her blossoming athletics career.

The 16-year-old high-jumper, from Rayleigh, was named junior sports personality of the year at the Rayleigh council sports awards.

She beat off several other nominees to win the prize following her outstanding form in the high-jump this past season.

Helen, a pupil at Fitzwimarc school, won the South of England under-17 title in January and followed up with a tremendous second place in February's national AAA's under-17 championships in Birmingham.

The athlete, who first took up the sport when starting out at Fitzwimarc four years ago, is also a keen participant in hockey, basketball and netball.

But it's her athletics performances, including a personal best leap of 1.66m at the national Track and Field Cup last year, which have won her the prize.

Delighted Helen said: "I'm really pleased. I had no idea I had been nominated until I was told by my teacher, Miss Parrott.

"But I wouldn't have won it without the help of her, my coach Ron Clatworthy, and my family."

Helen's next big athletics target is the English Schools Track and Field championships in July.

Fellow Basildon AC athlete Steven Surety has been given a massive boost in his climb up the athletics ladder.

The 20-year-old Laindon 400m runner was originally picked for the one-lap relay at this weekend's Great Britain indoor international against France in Cardiff.

But the withdrawal of Matt Elias and David Naismith for world indoor championship duty means Surety will now line up in the individual 400m on his GB debut.

Reflecting on her success - Basildon AC high-jumper Helen Smith shows off her Rayleigh council junior sports personality of the year award

Picture: MAXINE CLARKE

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