Asda Athletes

I’ve just got back from a training camp in Aldershot. I mentioned in an earlier blog that I had junior GB trails later on this year. The training camp was held as a taster, so we knew the sort of things the coaches were expecting from us and so that we felt prepared for next year. It was a great camp and I learnt a lot. I got great feedback from the head coach and I am eager to improve so I can get on the squad.
As part of the camp we watched the synchronised swimming at the Olympics. Watching the British athletes made me very ambitious for the future. They did a great job and have improved so much. As well as watching the synchronised swimming we also watched the rest of the events in the Olympics in our own time. I am very proud to be British.

I was nominated for an award through school. The award ceremony was held in Gateshead for all the young sports achievers in this area. I’m very proud to say that I won the ‘National representation award’ and it was presented to me by Craig Heap who was a Gold medalist in the Common Wealth Games, it was an amazing experience and I was very inspired by the other athletes.

Last weekend I competed in a competition in Warwickshire, I won a silver medal in the duet event and a gold medal in the team event. It was a good practice for the bigger competitions coming up later this year.

There is also possibility that my duet partner and I may be going to Egypt to compete in an international competition. This would be a great experience and I hope it does happen.

I’ve been unbelievably busy. Last week I travelled to Sheffield to take part in a performance that brings dancing and synchronised swimming together. It looked like a very interesting project so my Team; City Of Leeds and I got invited to take part in the performance. Balbhir Singh Dance Company brought this idea to life. The performance was called ‘Synchronised’ and has been awarded the London 2012 inspired mark, which is obviously a great honour. Aside from that we have had tombola this Saturday at my local Asda store, which was very successful; and I’m looking forward to doing another one soon!

I recently recieved an email from the development officer of synchronised swimming explaining to me that they would like me to travel to the HPC (high performance centre)in Aldershot to do a pre-trial for junior GB. This trial doesn’t necessarily mean i will be secured a place in the squad next year, however it is a great experience and it will give me a chance to learn the routine for next year, which will hopefully gain me an advantage. This trial will take place in July, so I have a lot of work to do. Also the head coach of City of Leeds wants me to do an international competition in Egypt with my duet partner so that will also hopefully help me with my pre-trail camp in July. I’m really looking forward to it and continuously working hard.

This is my duet performance at British Championships. This routine got us 3rd in the country. It is a technical routine which has to incorperate technical elements, which the judges mark off as the routine continues. It’s a very hard routine and it’s very fast. It lasts up to about 2 and a half minutes (bearing in mind we’re underwater for 3/4 of the routine). Hope you enjoy it.