Winning smile: Nicholas, centre, with the Lord Mayor and Neil Handley

SPORTS mad teenager Nicholas Bowen believes taking part is more important than coming first.

But an innate sense of fair play and natural enthusiasm have still proved a winning combination for the Farnworth teenager.

The Harper Green Secondary School pupil beat pupils from all over Bolton to win a Spirit of Friendship Award from the backers of the Commonwealth Games, Manchester 2002.

Nicholas, 14, enjoys all sport but is particularly fond of football and tennis and is a level three soccer referee.

His PE teacher Gary Luke told the competition judges that he enjoys taking part as much as winning, treats others as he would like to be treated himself, inspires and instills fair play and performs within the rules and spirit of the game.

"He respects the opposition and has a high level of sportsmanship," added Mr Luke.

Nicholas, of Finch Avenue, is hoping to put his well-recognised sense of fair play to good use when he leaves school. "I want to be a police officer because it means I can help people," he said after picking up the award.

Nicholas was one of 10 winners from each town in Greater Manchester to be presented with a medal by the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Cllr Hugh Barratt, and international rugby union player Neil Handley. Each school in Bolton nominated a pupil and Nicholas was picked to represent the town.

But Frances Done, Chief Executive of Manchester 2002, said: "The Spirit of Friendship Award recognises that sport is not just about competing and winning, it is also about taking part and all the young people nominated by their school are winners." SPORTS mad teenager Nicholas Bowen believes taking part is more important than coming first.

But an innate sense of fair play and natural enthusiasm have still proved a winning combination for the Farnworth teenager.

The Harper Green Secondary School pupil beat pupils from all over Bolton to win a Spirit of Friendship Award from the backers of the Commonwealth Games, Manchester 2002.

Nicholas, 14, enjoys all sport but is particularly fond of football and tennis and is a level three soccer referee.

His PE teacher Gary Luke told the competition judges that he enjoys taking part as much as winning, treats others as he would like to be treated himself, inspires and instills fair play and performs within the rules and spirit of the game.

"He respects the opposition and has a high level of sportsmanship," added Mr Luke.

Nicholas, of Finch Avenue, is hoping to put his well-recognised sense of fair play to good use when he leaves school. "I want to be a police officer because it means I can help people," he said after picking up the award.

Nicholas was one of 10 winners from each town in Greater Manchester to be presented with a medal by the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Cllr Hugh Barratt, and international rugby union player Neil Handley. Each school in Bolton nominated a pupil and Nicholas was picked to represent the town. But Frances Done, Chief Executive of Manchester 2002, said: "The Spirit of Friendship Award recognises that sport is not just about competing and winning, it is also about taking part and all the young people nominated by their school are winners."