AN embarrassing clerical error led to Teignbridge Council giving their Junior Sportswoman Award to the wrong person.
Judo champion Scarlett Woolcock, 16, and her mum Lorraine, listened with disbelief at the awards ceremony in March when Scarlett's latest achievements were not mentioned. 'They missed out the really big competitions, the Youth Olympics and that I am ranked fifth in Europe,' said Scarlett.
Mum Lorraine, of Beechwood Avenue, Newton Abbot, said: 'We were obviously a bit disappointed at first, that is why we raised it with the council. They were very quick at responding and putting something in place in the future, as well as putting this right.' She said that information on Scarlett's form had somehow got left off the summary from which the selection panel made their decision. She was awarded a runner-up trophy.
Once the blunder was brought to light, the council hurriedly rectified things by presenting Scarlett, a member of WBB Judo Club, with a much-deserved special sporting award. A council statement said: 'The award for outstanding performance celebrates Scarlett's achievements in the light of omitted information at the time of the judging of Teignbridge's Sports Personality Awards 2005
'Teignbridge has apologised for the oversight and been quick to emphasise that the current Junior Sportswoman of the Year Award holder, swimmer Sally Whybra, performed excellently throughout 2005 and is a genuine winner of the award.'
Scarlett said: 'I am quite happy with what they did. They sorted it out very quickly and didn't take it away from the other girl. I didn't want that to happen. They gave me a joint award.'