Our Athletes- read how well they are doing

Our Athletes- Feb 2017 update

Victoria Barlow - Pole vaulter

In the first indoor competition of the 2017 indoor season, I finished the day coming 1st in the U17 Women's pole vault category at the Northern Championships at the EIS Sheffield. This has also put me 1st in the UK for U17 Women. During the competition, I started at the height 3.50m which was the previous Championship Best Performance (CBP) record set in 2007. I went on to clear 3.65m and 3.75m and narrowly missed 3.85m, so set the new record at 3.75m which was a PB of 5cm.

My coach said this was only due to the fact I needed to use a bigger pole, and we should be able to put this into practice in the next competition. In my first full senior event at Vault Manchester I once again gained a personal best and finished 4th overall and retained the u17 title.

Over the indoor season, I am aiming to PB, as near to 4m or above as I can jump. I have been selected to compete in the Elite Women's pool and am the youngest member to do so.

Sarah Jackson - Windsurfer

Highlights of 2016:

- 4th U20 European Windsurf Slalom Championships

- 1st British Windsurf Freestyle Championships

- 3rd Overall British Slalom Series with 2 event wins throughout the season

Plans for 2017:

- carry on training in a variety of conditions in Tenerife, Bonaire and Cape Town

- Youth World Championships in April in France

• start competing on the Professional World Tour over the summer

Training is going really well in Bonaire and I am windsurfing every day with some of the best sailors in the world which is incredible experience. I have landed my first Spock which had been a challenge for many months.

Jenni Park - Hockey player

My highlights form 2016 include representing England Hockey u16 at the six nations and scoring a shuffle. Additionally, winning the league with Alderley Edge 1st team and the trophy final at the Olympic Park. I was recently selected for England U18 a year so early hoping to retain my place next year.

In 2017, I would like to play for England u18 in a test series. For club, I would like to carry on improving and for the team to keep up a good team spirit hopefully aiming for second place in the league.

Hannah McColgan - Tennis player

2016 Highlights

• Representing Great Britain Tennis at u16 Winter Cup

• Winning 2 national u18 competitions

• Winning my first International tournament

• Winning in the main draw twice in £10,000 ladies events

• Staying fit and injury free and improve strength and mobility

2017 Plan

• Most importantly is to keep my body fit and injury free

• Play in more Ladies British Tour Events

• Play £15,000 ladies events

• Progress my tennis to the next level, improve national and international ranking

• Achieve a scholarship to an American University to start fall 2018

Bel Wardle - Golfer

My aim for 2017 is to make the Junior Solhiem Cup team for Europe! So I've made my schedule so that I play the events that will qualify me for selection! I was recently selected to play for England at the Portuguese Ladies Amateur Open and next month compete in the Spanish Amateur Open. I have recently gained a place at an American University for 2018.

Lucy Roberts - Water skier

Winter training! Air temperature 6 degrees.... water slightly warmer at 8! The hard work is done during the winter months. My main focus in the winter is preparing my body to be flexible and strong enough to learn new moves when the pre-season training increases.

Caitlin Polley - Hockey player

I recently got selected for the England Hockey Performance Centre and have also made my debut for Alderley Edge Hockey Club 1st XI. I am looking towards making it to HIPAC again this year and wanting to get to the national finals with the U16 Alderley Edge Hockey team.

Lauren Jones - Gymnast

I was selected for the England Gymnastics squad in 2016. I won gold in the club Christmas competition with bronze on vault, gold on beam and gold on floor. I also received a lifetime membership award from my club, which has only ever been awarded once before in the history of the club. At that ceremony, I was also presented with my “England colours” by the Coaching Director of the England squad.

This year has not started so well as I sustained a back injury which Angie is helping me with. However, I am trying to look at it positively and as something which most elite athletes need to learn to deal with at some point in their career! Maggie is helping me to visualise my routines during my recovery period.

Archie Phillips - Hockey player

After an injury to my hamstring tendon before Christmas, I have worked hard to get stronger and fitter. I was selected for the England Hockey Performance Centre and am currently in the England Hockey u16 squad. I recently made my debut for the Bowdon Hockey Club men's 1st team and our u16 team made it to National Indoor finals.