YOUNG hockey star Emma Pledge has proved she is going places in her chosen sport.

And now she has been rewarded for her hard work and achievement by a £100 award from Richmondshire's Local Sports Council.

Ms Pledge, 20, from Ravensworth, was presented with her cheque by the council chairman, Councillor Jim Fryer

He said: "We wanted to help Emma with the costs of her playing and coaching commitments.

"She has achieved a great deal, playing for England U21s and captaining the Yorkshire side to victory in the county tournament last year, as well as coaching at junior level at Richmond School and Richmond Mens' first team.

"We would like to acknowledge those achievements and wish her well for continued success in the future."

Ms Pledge, who is in her first year of a sport and exercise science degree at Leeds University, coaches girls at the city's grammar school, and plays National League hockey for Doncaster.

She has been selected to play for the British Universities' team, and will play in a four-day tournament in Edinburgh from Monday.