A MALVERN athlete has been selected to be part of the Rugby 7s squad at the 2017 School Games National Finals.
Laura Thomas, a student at Hanley Castle High School and member of Worceter RFC, will compete for the England Midlands squad at the games which are an integrated multi-sport event for the UK’s most talented school age athletes.
The 17-year-old will travel to Loughborough University later this month for the School Games which run from August 31 to September 3.
Laura already has an impressive record of success, as she is part of the U18 England Talent Development Group.
She will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of some of Britain’s biggest sporting stars who have competed at the School Games before going on to senior international success.
Previous competitors include Paralympic champions Hannah Cockroft, Ellie Simmonds and Jonnie Peacock, Olympic champion Adam Peaty, heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson and GB sprinter Adam Gemili.
The School Games are the springboard for future athletes – 56 of the 382 athletes representing Team GB at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio competed at the School Games.
At the event Laura will experience the excitement of competing at the highest level. She will live in a dedicated Athletes’ Village on the Loughborough University campus, take part in an Opening Ceremony and perform in front of huge crowds of spectators.
She will live in a dedicated Athletes’ Village on the Loughborough University campus, take part in an Opening Ceremony and perform in front of huge crowds of spectators.
“The School Games is a really inspiring event. I can’t wait to take part this year,” said Laura.
“The School Games National Finals provide a great opportunity for talented young athletes like Laura,” added Ali Oliver, chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust.
“Competitors get a real taste of what it’s like to be part of a world-class sporting event at the amazing sporting venues of Loughborough University, and the event is a great way to see our future sporting champions in action today.”
Tickets for the event are available at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/2017schoolgames.