MARK GAYNOR - Mark plays for Harrow Town Cricket Club in his spare time and has done so for a number of years. He was nominated by the Team Manager to take part in the trial games for the Middlesex Boys Clubs side. Mark maintains that he was not originally named for inclusion in the trials, but injury to others gave him his chance. He certainly made the most of it, for he was included in the tour party as the opening bowler of the County side. Mark played against Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Essex, Worcestershire, and Combined London Schools. His best figures were 3 for 41 against Warwickshire. Mark's action is as a medium-pacer. Mark attends nets every Sunday at Finchley County School.
MARK RAMPRAKASH - Mark plays for the same County side as Mark Gaynor, although he has the added distinction of being a year younger. This Mark is a promising all-rouinder being as deadly as an attacking bowler as he is with the bat. Mark also toured with Middlesex and produced his top score with this age group of under 14's of 88. When Mark batted with his correct age group, he achieved an unbeaten 150. His average for the County side was 43.
ROGER KING - Roger plays for Watford Youth which is attached to Watford Football Club. He was 'spotted' whilst he was playing against Watford for his normal team, Parkfield. Two more of our boys were also approached by talent scouts; KEITH AKERS and RAYMOND NICHOLSON. Roegt has played for Watford against Arsenal and scored twice in the 4-0 win; against Tottenham Hotspurs again finding the net twice in the 3-0 win; against Orient in the 6-2 win when he claimed a single goal; and against Chelsea when Watford won 2-1. Roger trains with the club on Mondays and returns to the Parkfield team on Thursday. Whilst attending training, Roger has met Bertie Mee, one time Arsenal manager and now a Watford director, and Tom Wally, the Arsenal trainer. Watford seems to be interested in Roger's future for they have offered him Schoolboy Apprenticeship terms. As with the other boys in this section, Roger still plays for the School sides. He plays regularly for the school football and rugby teams.
HARINDER GREWAL - Harinder has been nominated 'Young Car Driver of the Year'. He is a member of the 'Under 17's Car Club' which meets at the Harrow Driving Centre. Harinder had to take a graded test on all aspects of the motor-car ranging from a mini version of the adult driving test to technical knowledge of mechanics to the legal requirements of the road user. He had to show his skill in manouvering his car through a system of obstacles using the gears correctly and to execute three-point turns, as well as reversing round corners. Harinder then had to sit a written paper with questions taken from the Highway Code and a mechanic's manual. For the test he drove his father's two-litre racing Escort. Mr. Grewal is a racing driver in his spare time. Although Harinder was the youngest to take the test at 13, he finished top, scoring exceptionally high marks.
MARK MAIDMENT - Pride of place in this section must go to this Gayton pupil. Not only is he outstanding at his sport, but he displays a great degree of dedication in his pursuit of excellence. Mark is a 'professional' swimmer. He swims with Harrow and Wealdstone Swimming Club. Mark is the best in Britain for his age at his event which is the 100 metres Breaststroke. He is also a member of his club's 4 x 50 metres Freestyle Relay Team. Mark competes at various venues on the south of England from Crystal Palace to Stevenage. The National Championships were staged at Blackpool. Selection for the National Team comes this year at the Under 14 stage and Mark hopes he will be able to impress the judges then. In the meantime, Mark must keep in shape and take every opportunity to develop his talent. This means hard work and tireless application if he is to maintain his claim for a place in the National Squad. His training schedule is enough to make a grown man pale.
Mark must train 10 times per week. This means he must begin his day at 5.30am every morning. Mark trains at the Leisure Center for an hour from 6.30 to 7.30 before school, and then it's back home for some breakfast to help him face the day. A full day in school is then followed by two hours training back at the Leisure Centre from 5.00 to 7.00 in the evening. To finish his day Mark tackles his homework before he has a moment of relaxation prior to bedtime.
Tired readers will be relieved to know that Mark takes time off from his busy schedule in mid-week. Does he sleep like Rip Van Winkle to charge his batteries? No, he has piano lessons so that he will be a more proficient key-board player on his synthesiser. Mark squeezes in an hour or two of practice on Sundays. And then at 5.30 the next morning............
Source: Gaytonian 1982/83