Rower Calvin Tarczy may not have been able to attend SportsAid’s One-to-Watch awards ceremony at City Hall, but that certainly didn’t dampen his father’s pride as his son was named one of the runners-up of the prestigious prize.

Tarczy, who couldn’t be in attendance for the awards at City Hall, London as he pursues his studies at Harvard University, sealed a second FISA World Rowing Junior Championships coxless fours gold in as many years when he topped the podium with his teammates in Racice, Czech Republic in August.

But his father Toby – at the event on behalf of the 18-year-old – admitted how special SportsAid’s recognition had been for his son, who is a former pupil at St Paul’s School in Barnes.

“SportsAid has been fantastic for Calvin, because he’s been able to go beyond his limits and his abilities,” said Toby.

“It’s given him the confidence to keep pursuing his love, which is rowing, and academically he’s been very tied up, but also focused as well. SportsAid has given him the confidence for sports and as well as keeping his studies.

“When I was notified that Calvin was (a finalist of the) One-to-Watch with SportsAid it was an overwhelming feeling. You open an email, get a message like that, it makes your day, puts a big smile on your face.”

Boxer Caroline Dubois was named as the winner, while runners-up Tarczy and high jumper Dominic Ogbechie and were also recognised for their potential, rewarded for their achievements with a SportsAid equipment grant.

The award was presented at the end of the night, which was sponsored by long-term SportsAid partner Royal Bank of Canada and saw many of SportsAid’s alumni joining together to celebrate the next generation of British sporting talent.

And it was Olympic gold medallist Rutherford who was tasked with handing the award to boxing sensation Dubois, something that the long jumper admitted was a great honour as he cast his eye over the future superstars coming through the ranks.

“For me coming and meeting the next generation of athletes and having the honour of presenting the One-to-Watch is a big deal,” he said.

“To see these youngsters coming through, looking incredibly special and genuine superstars of the future, it’s a fantastic thing.

“It’s something that SportsAid does, is highlights the facts that we have these incredible youngsters coming through, and sport is a really bright future for an awful lot of youngsters.”

You can help support the next generation of British Olympians and Paralympians by making a regular or one-off donation to SportsAid. Please visithttp://www.sportsaid.org.uk/get-involved/make-a-donation/ for further information.