Games calls for young duo

Two Bath Pentathlon Club youngsters have been selected in 2018 School Games laser run squads. Bath’s own Louise Cattanach will be part of the U16 England South squad competing at the games – a national multi-sport event for the UK’S most talented school-age athletes, taking place at Loughborough University from August 30 to September 2. And also taking part is 12-yearold Lottie Silverton, from Upton Cheyney. Cattanach, 14, who is a student at the Prior Park College, already has an impressive record of success having won team silver in her age category at the 2017 World Laser Run Championships in Cape Town, South Africa. She is a clubmate of Silverton at Bath Pentathlon Club. Royal High School student Silverton will represent The U14 England South squad in what she says is her biggest sporting success to date. Laser run originated as an element of the modern pentathlon and now exists as a fast-paced and exciting stand-alone competition; athletes combine running and shooting a laser gun at targets in a timed race. Over 1,400 athletes will compete across 11 sports at the School Games, five of which include disability disciplines. Cattanach and Silverton will be following in the footsteps of some of Britain’s biggest sporting stars who have competed at the event 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 sprinter Adam Gemili. At the event, they will experience the excitement of competing at the highest level. The duo will live in a dedicated Athletes’ Village on the Loughborough University campus, take part in an School Games ceremony and perform in front of huge crowds of spectators. “The School Games National Finals provide a great opportunity for talented young athletes like Louise,” said Ali Oliver, Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Sport Trust. “Competitors get a real taste of what it’s like to be part of a worldclass 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.”