TALENTED gymnast Kay Chattwood was delighted to be picked to attend a prestigious Talented Inspiration Programme where she got to meet Olympic athletes.
Kay, a Year 10 student at Haslingden High School, was nominated by her PE teachers as she competed for a place in the England squad in artistic gymnastics; floor, vault, beam and bars. Her team was eighth in the competition in the summer in Guildford.
She was lucky enough to attend the three-day programme in Manchester, which runs alongside the Sainsbury’s School Games.
Kay, 14, said: “There were 200 students from all over the country but only three came from the local area.
“We went to a hotel in Manchester for three days and did a series of activities including canoeing, seated volleyball and cycling, attended workshops and got to meet and listen to three athletes who had competed at Olympic level.
“We met world champion Thai boxer Rachel McKenzie, Olympic 400m runner Daniel Caines and an Olympic bobsleigh driver.
“They explained how to set goals and how to stay positive and interested in what you are doing and also the benefits of a sport.
“It was really inspirational hearing their stories, especially the Thai boxer because it took her about three years before she did any proper Thai boxing and she would train by doing 100 press ups a day.”
Kay is no stranger to training having been a member of Bury Gym Club since she was four and training five times a week. Even though she currently has a hand injury, she still trains to keep herself fit.
The students also got to visit Manchester’s velodrome where they watched cyclists and analysed their behaviour following and between races.
“It made me think that I can definitely go further in what I want to do,” said Kay.
“I want to be the British champion and attending this course has made me determined to be what I want to be and know what I have to do to get there.”