JAMES Coles is targeting the next level after being crowned the county’s junior sportsman of the year.

The Aston Rowant cricketer triumphed over rugby prospect Jack Allinson and cycle speedway star Will Jeffrey.

It comes after a year that saw him represent Sussex CCC and England under 16s, while he also played at Lord’s.

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Coles is dreaming of becoming the youngest man to play for the Sussex first team and knows any honour he receives can benefit his career.

He said: “Looking at the nominees I’m quite surprised, it’s an honour.

“It hopefully means that I’ll get a bit of recognition. It keeps you motivated and it’s always nice to have targets.”

The Magdalen College School pupil has gained a reputation as a leader in the last 12 months, captaining the South and West of England at the U15 ECB Bunbury Cricket Festival.

The team went undefeated and Coles was named player of the tournament, while he also led the South of England to victory against West Indies under 15s.

Coles added: “New opportunities have arisen and hopefully it opens up a lot more.

“There’s always somewhere to go in cricket.

“You’re never at the top, so hopefully I can keep pushing until I’m up there.”

Meanwhile, Millie Couzens was delighted at her junior sportswoman of the year prize.

The cyclist, from Bicester, first rode a bike just six years ago and only began competing two years later.

But she qualified for the European Youth Olympics in the summer, finishing tenth.

The 16-year-old was unable to attend Friday’s ceremony as she was racing at the Cyclocross World Cup in the Czech Republic.

And she revealed this was just the latest in a string of new experiences.

She said: “The Youth Olympics was such a good opportunity and such a good experience as well.

“It was like nothing I’ve ever done before, so I’ve really enjoyed it.

“Before this year I hadn’t really travelled that much but I’ve got to see so many places – even though lots of the time I only see a muddy field or the inside of a velodrome.”

Couzens, who races in cyclocross in the winter and road and track cycling in the summer, was overjoyed at her award.

She said: “The fact that other people are recognising what I’m doing means a lot.”