A talented schoolgirl from Rotherham will head to Mexico next month to represent Great Britain on the international stage.
Fifteen-year-old Aston Academy student Caitlyn Hawley, from Treeton, is an acrobatic gymnast who performs as part of a trio. In November – just three weeks before her 16th birthday – Caitlyn will compete for Team GB for the first time in the Pan American Continental Cup; a three-day, top-class international competition with some of the best talent in the world.
Although she has competed abroad before, this is the first time she has competed for Team GB.
Mum Claire Hawley, 43, said: “We are incredibly proud of Caitlyn for her selection. She trains five times a week and sacrifices such a lot for her love of the sport, so this experience means the world to her.
“As a youngster, Caitlyn seemed to spend more time upside down on her hands than she did her feet! She has always had a love for gymnastics but we never dreamed that she would end up representing her country one day.
“This just proves that, with hard work and commitment, you can achieve your dreams. Just to get this opportunity to compete in Mexico is a huge achievement in itself, so the girls can hold their heads high and know they have done themselves proud, whatever happens.”
Caitlyn, who is also captain of Aston Academy’s Year 11 netball team, started gymnastics at the age of seven, learning the basics of the sport in a recreation class run by Acrocats, at Aston Sports Centre.
She spent a number of years at Rotherham Sports Acro club, in Thurcroft, before joining the City of Sheffield Gymnastics Club and, eventually, Wakefield Gym Club, which is renowned for the calibre of its gymnasts and boasts current World and European champions.
Caitlyn earned her place in the GB squad after successfully completing three trials over the summer. One of those trials was the British Championships, where Caitlyn impressed by winning a bronze medal.
In Mexico, Caitlyn will have to perform routines to showcase strength, poise and flexibility. She will also have to perform a selection of dynamic moves featuring impressive tumbles.
In preparation for this, Caitlyn is training five days a week for up to four hours at a time. She spends up to 10 hours a week travelling but is still an excellent student, according to teacher Rebecca Miller.
“I have taught Caitlyn PE since she was in Year 7 – she’s now in Year 11 – and she is an incredibly hard-working and conscientious student,” said Mrs Miller.
“She represents all the sports teams here at Aston Academy, where possible, and is a fantastic role model. Caitlyn is a great dancer, has represented the school at rounders and athletics, is a brilliant netball player – she’s captained the team every year since Year 7, winning two inter-school tournaments – and works extremely hard to maintain such a high standard of work at school.
“She is a role model for everyone at Aston Academy and is a credit to herself and her family.”
ENDS
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