All-rounder Florence has drive to succeed

12.02.2025

An exceptional young sportswoman has received an award for her drive to succeed academically while combining it with her talent for golf.

Florence Martindale, who is a pupil at Newbarns Primary and Nursery School in Barrow, has been invited to play at the Daily Mail World Junior Golf Championship in Marbella this month.

Despite playing in prestigious golf competitions here and overseas, she has shown such commitment to her studies that she has been presented with a South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust Superstar Award.

Speaking about her success Headteacher Gary Birkett said the Year 5 pupil was a very worthy recipient of the award for ambition, reflecting one of SCMAT’s values.

“Florence has achieved fabulous things in golf outside of the school and yet continues to work hard and in all of her lessons and extra curricula activities.

“We are delighted to recognise her hard work and determination and to be the best she can both at school and in her golfing career.”

Florence recently won the national UK Kids Golf competition and has qualified for the invitation-only Champion of Champions Junior World Championship which will be held in July 2025 in Ireland and brings together 250 of the top junior golfers in the world.

She was the Order of Merit winner on the Ping Northern Junior Golf Tour for girls aged 6-9 girls after playing in 11 events across the North of England.

Florence also placed fourth in her category in the Faldo Futures Final, which is played at the pro am of the British masters competing against girls from across the UK.

The SCMAT Superstar Awards are presented annually to pupils from across South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust who are nominated by their schools for living the Trust’s values of excellence, respect, innovation, celebration, ambition and support in their daily lives.

Trust CEO Professor Andrew Wren congratulated Florence, who was nominated by her teacher Gemma Washington, saying she should be really proud of all her achievements.

“To balance commitments on the course and in the classroom takes real dedication and the skills she learns through both will stand her in good stead for a very bright future whatever career path she decides to pursue.”