November 2015: Sporting student wins award from Mayor

SofiaSPORTY Sofia Riley not only swims but also plays netball for her town and her efforts have been rewarded by the Mayor.
The Haslingden High School student from Year 9 comes from Shawclough and plays netball for the Rochdale Junior Netball Club and swims for Rochdale Swimming Club.
Her mum Rahna put her forward for a youth award from the Mayor of Rochdale’s Youth Awards, but when the sporting award went to someone else Sofia, 13, thought she had missed out.
“Then they said the team player award and my name,” she said. “I was shocked.”
Sofia has been playing netball since she was a pupil at Healey Primary School and she plays goal shooter for Rochdale Juniors and goal attack when playing for school.
She joined the swimming club when she was in Year 4 and is a good all rounder, which is fortunate because there are very few girls her age at the club so when the club enters a gala, Sofia competes in nearly every discipline.
She was presented with her certificate and trophy by the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Surinder Biant at Rochdale Town Hall.