Special sporting award for Wesley

Dr Wesley Ferris was the first person in the province to receive the prestigious gold medallion sponsored by the British Association for Physical Training.

The presentation took place at Sheffield University by General Julian Thompson who commanded the British Land Forces during the Falklands campaign.

Dr Ferris was involved in many sporting pursuits.

He had gained international caps at cricket and volleyball.

He founded the Mid-Ulster Schools Hockey Association and the Pedagogues.

At the time he was President of both the Leprechauns and Lurgan Cage Bird Society and was chairman of the Ulster Schools District Athletic Association.

A prominent figure in the Boys’ Brigade movement he was President of the Lurgan and District Battalion.

In professional life he was Head of Physical Education at Markethill High School.

The citation he received also praised the part he played in encouraging adult participation in sport throughout Northern Ireland.

His success in this aspect was seen through the Mid-Ulster Cricket Group which had competitions in Donegal and Leinster.