SKATER OLIVIA HEADS FOR HOLLAND
Skater heads for Holland as team-mates get GB call-ups
East Kilbride Ice Figure Skating Club have reason to celebrate this month after one of their skaters was selected for an ice show in Holland and five members received call-ups to the Great Britain squad.
Olivia Taylor Bell will follow in the footsteps of her coaches Silvanna and Yvonne Cameron by debuting as a showgirl in a couple of weeks time – and her coaches will be able to give her some top advice before she heads off.
Both have travelled the world themselves doing ice shows before they became coaches at East Kilbride, a successful club for more than 25 years.
During each of those years, the club has had skaters compete in the British Championships and produced 11 British Champions, as well as representing Great Britain in European, junior, worlds, youth Olympics and Olympic competitions.
Meanwhile, five of Olivia’s teammates are off to represent Great Britain after being selected to represent their country in the next few months.
Christie Ann Shannon, Holly Freeman, Taylor McLeod, Rebecca Geddes and Cara McCabe have all made the grade and Cara is the first to head off this year, competing in Croatia on October 27.
The club are also proud to currently have seven members on the 2016-2017 Great Britain development squad. They are Jamie Wright (current British senior men’s bronze medallist), Christie Ann Shannon (current basic novice A British Champion), Holly Freeman, Cara McCabe, Taylor McLeod, Rebecca Geddes and youngest member, nineyear-old Sarah Tunnicliffe, all involved.
The club have even enjoyed success after the rink closed last November for refurbishment.
EKIFSC have been travelling all over Scotland for ice to keep up their high standards. And this season they have won 20 first place, 17 second place and 27 third place medals.
Coach Silvanna Cameron said: “We are all looking forward to returning to our home rink after the refurbishment to train hard for the British Championships and the new season ahead.
“Everyone at the club would like to wish Olivia all the best in Holland. “It will be a great experience.” If anyone is interested in joining the club, they should contact the EKIFSC Page on Facebook or email secretary. ekifsc@gmail.com.