A PAIR of young roller skaters twisted and jumped their way on to the podium at a national competition.
Ellie Cotton and Amy Berryman, both pictured, finished second and third respectively at the British Championship Artistic Roller Skating event in Leicester.
The third place for 10-year-old Amy has earned her a Great Britain call-up.
The girls, who are both members of Tees Valley Roller Skating Club, practise their artistic skills every week at the club’s base at Beechwood Youth and Community Centre in Middlesbrough.
After completing her figures piece, which saw her following a set of markings on the floor, seven-year-old Ellie came second. Next came her free piece, a voluntary routine, performed to Somewhere Over The Rainbow and Under the Sea. She took the silver medal for that routine too.
Continue reading to view a video of the girls in action
She also returned home with the overall silver in the combined event in the tots category.
Amy, who finished first in the tots category two years ago, was in the older group this year and took bronze in the overall “minis� category after finishing sixth in the figures event and skating exceptionally well in her free event to come third.
Julia Bailey, the girls’ coach, said: “The girls skated really well and excelled themselves.
“Ellie skated really well, the best she could have at the time as she is so young.
“And Amy performed brilliantly for her free.�
Both girls train for about seven hours every week and the hard work has paid off for Amy, who has now been selected to represent Great Britain in Italy in October.
But it’s undecided whether she will be able to attend.
“I don’t know whether or not she will go yet,� said Julia.
“It will be expensive and she is too young to travel without a parent, so her mum and dad will have to travel with her, as well as a coach.�
If you can help Amy achieve her Italian dream, contact Julia on 01642 817067.
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