TALENTED SWIMMER MAKING BIG WAVES IN GAMES

TEENAGER CHOSEN TO TAKE PART IN SCHOOLS GAMES WILL FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF SOME OF GB’S BIGGEST STARS

A TALENTED teenage athlete has been chosen to compete in a national competition.

Swimmer Jemima Hall from Northwood has been selected to be part of the squad at the 2017 School Games National Finals.

The School Games are an integrated multi-sport event for the UK’s most talented school-age athletes and will take place at Loughborough University from August 31 to September 3.

15-year-old Jemima, who is a student at the St Clement Danes in Chorleywood and is a member of the Hillingdon Swimming Club, will compete for the England East squad in the Swimming. She already has an impressive record of success: Jemima ranks in the top 10 for her age group in 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle.

Around 1,600 athletes will compete across 12 sports at the School Games, seven of which include dis- ability disciplines. The four-day event is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust.

Jemima 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 Jemima 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.

Ali Oliver, chief executive officer of the Youth Sport Trust said: “The School Games National Finals provide a great opportunity for talented young athletes like Jemima.

“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 /www.ticketsource.co. uk/2017schoolgames.

Competitors get a real taste of what it’s like to be part of a world-class sporting event Ali Oliver, CEO of the Youth Sport Trust

Jemima Hall