A 13-YEAR-OLD gymnast from Havering received the support of Olympic athlete Louis Smith, as it was announced he will compete in the 2009 UK School Games.
Courtney Tulloch from Romford will represent England playing against the UK’s teenage elite in the gymnastics event, being held at Planet Ice Arena in Cardiff from 3 to 6 September.
Courtney said: ”The Olympic Games is one of the defining moments of any athlete’s career. Being part of such a global event alongside its biggest sporting stars was brilliant.
“London 2012 inspired the UK School Games and I for one think it’s great that we are doing all we can to prepare our future Olympians as early as possible.”
Emerson Park School student Courtney trains six days a week for a total of 25 hours to keep his gymnastics skills at a nationally competitive level. He also plays football and runs regularly to heighten his fitness.
Courtney added: “Last year I went to the UK School Games in Bristol to watch the competition and support my colleagues and I thoroughly enjoyed the two days of competition.
“Louis Smith is one of my role models as I have watched him in competitions and seen him at training events. He has raised the profile of Men’s Artistic gymnastics so it is nice to know that he also supports us.”
Now in its fourth year, the UK School Games will attract the best school-aged athletes across ten sports and 2009 will be the first Games to include Track Cycling.
The UK School Games is designed to create a legacy whereby young people of all ages and abilities can aspire to compete in sport, become leaders, volunteers and technical officials.
The Youth Sport Trust, which is responsible for the development and organisation of the UK School Games, works across a range of initiatives and programmes to increase young people’s participation and enjoyment of physical education and school sport.