INTERNATIONAL rugby hero Jaksa Lovreta has claimed the coveted title of the Marlow Sports Personality of the Year an award which was supported by the Marlow Free Press.

Free Press readers voted the 27-year-old Croatian born captain of Marlow Rugby Club as their sporting star for 2004, because of his sterling performances on the pitch and off through his dedication to coaching the stars of the future.

Mr Lovreta, who was in his home country for the close of the season, said he was pleased to gain the public's support and recognition.

He said: "It is so satisfying to be recognised for what we are doing in schools. There are not many countries in the world that recognise your achievements, and this is something I can be proud of for the rest of my life."

In his absence, the award was accepted by Marlow Rugby Club's chairman, Gwyn Stone, and presented by the town mayor Roger Wilson at the Marlow town mayor's annual reception in the Shelley Theatre, in Court Garden, on Saturday, June 11.

Mr Stone said: "Jaksa is not only a great rugby player, he has also given a lot outside his own career. He has been coaching at local schools and the children have all really taken to him. Most of the schools now even have rugby on the curriculum."