SHUTTLEWORTH College have plenty to cheer about when it comes to producing sporting stars.

The Padiham school has had its fair share of success in a wide range of sports - both at local and international level.

For the schools boasts town team champions and world championship medal winners.

The year seven boyswent straight to the top of the class after winning the Burnley Sports Hall Athletics competition.

They had to test themselves in sprints, relays, shot putt, long jump ,triple jump, speed bounce and vertical jump.

The event was held at Sir John Thursby and Shuttleworth were up against Blessed Trinity, Sir John Thursby, Unity, Burnley High School and Hameldon.

The Year Seven Shuttleworth stars, whose team was made up of Brandon Lonsdale, Harrison Whitehead, Aiden Ramsay, Kyle McDowall, Charlie Trickett and Miles Preston, won their event and will now go through to the regional finals in March at Hyndburn.

“The boys were a really strong team,” said Head of PE Andrew Stubbs. “They all performed well and we hope they can put in the same performance at the regional finals.”

And the year seven girls were just as successful as they were crowned Burnley Schools Netball League.

The girls, captained by Grace Turner, faced Blessed Trinity, Unity and Sir John Thursby in the competition with their biggest win coming against Sir John Thursby.

“The girls are in their first year together but have settled in well,” said Mr Stubbs. “We are proud of their performances.”

Two pupils have been flying the flag for Shuttleworth College outside the school gates.

Riona Hartley was the toast of the school after returning from the World Kickboxing Championships with a silver medal.

The 12-year-old, who is a member of the Black Knights Kickboxing Club, started the sport four years ago to keep fit.

“I really enjoy it,” said Year Seven student who competes in the 44.8kg category and trains three times a week. “I compete all over England and went to Birmingham for the World Kickboxing Association Championships and was really proud to get a silver medal.”

Football ace Morgan Crowther, a life-long Burnley fan, has signed for rivals Blackburn Rovers.

The Year Nine students is at Ewood Park’s Academy and plays Number 10 but has a season ticket at Turf Moor.

“It was strange signing for Blackburn, especially as I am a big Burnley fan, but they offered me a contract and I want to be a footballer,” said Morgan.

Morgan is a hotshot - he has played two Lancashire Cup games this season and already scored 12 goals. He also plays for Burnley’s Under 14 town team.

“He is a talented footballer,” said Mr Stubbs. “He is a big Burnley fan and loves being at Shuttleworth as it’s close to their Gawthorpe training ground but Blackburn have offered him a place in their Academy and it was too good an opportunity to turn down.

“If it doesn’t work out in football, he can turn his hand to running as he is our 400m athletics champion.”

Shuttleworth College is hoping the appointment of two young ambassadors will spread the word about sporting success at the Padiham school.

Year Nine students Soraya Ostle and Nathan Cutler, both 13, will be role models at Shuttleworth to the younger students at the school and also talk about sport at primary level.

Soraya likes netball and football while Nathan plays basketball for Burnley, among other sports.

“It’s an honour,” said Soraya. “We have to go on training courses to be Young Sports Ambassadors. They have them at every secondary school and we have to follow national guidelines.

“I like helping out at primary schools and it’s also our job to get younger students here to become involved in sport.”

We are extremely proud of Soraya and Nathan,” added Mr Stubbs. “They are excellent role models for our students and the primary school students which they have been working with.”

And the school would be looking to add to that success next month when they will be well represented at the Lancashire Cross Country Championships.

It comes following success at the Burnley Secondary Schools Town Cross Country Championships held at Towneley Park where Shuttleworth College students had a number of impressive performances on the day.

The Year seven boys team defeated the other schools in the area to be crowned town champions. Brandon Lonsdale from Year 7 won the race outright to become the Year 7 cross country champion.

Lia Macdermid from Year 8 followed on from her success the previous year to win the junior girls race.

In total, 2 Shuttleworth students have been selected to represent Burnley at the Lancashire Championships which will be held at Witton Park, Blackburn.