The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)

Slater’s leap of faith for Scottish title bid

Gymnast: Youngster is going for junior crown

- BY PAUL THIRD

Aberdeen gymnast Orianne Slater will chase the Scottish junior title this weekend when she takes part in the Scottish disability voluntarie­s championsh­ips.

The 14-year-old goes into the contest at Kelvin Hall in Glasgow in confident mood after retaining her national title at the disability artistic gymnastics British championsh­ips at the Lilleshall national sports centre in Telford earlier this month.

Slater was also crowned British disability junior overall champion at the competitio­n.

Her mother Lydie said: “Orianne and her coach Lorna Presly are very happy with these results. They have increased her chances of being selected for the British disability masters event, which will take place during the 2017 Gymnastics British championsh­ips in Liverpool, next March.”

Lydie was quick to praise the efforts of her daughter’s coach and the organisati­ons who have helped Orianne realise her ambition of competing in gymnastics.

She said: “Orianne was diagnosed with Perthes’ disease at the age of six and her hip deteriorat­ed for the next few years.

“By the age of 10 she started mainstream gymnastics with City of Aberdeen gymnastics club. In May last year her coach

“Achievemen­t potential is now greater primarily due to her resilience”

suggested starting disability gymnastics. It has meant increasing her number of hours each week, increasing the difficulty and training monthly with the disability gymnasts of City of Glasgow gymnastics club.

“Orianne’s developmen­t has now increased, thanks to Lorna’s open-mindedness. Her achievemen­t potential is now greater primarily due to her resilience, but also due to the groups who have funded her this year – the Dr Helen Reith’s Trust, the Birnie Trust, Grampian Disability Sport, the Chris Anderson Trust and Sport

Aberdeen.”

 ?? Photograph­s: Kami Thomson ?? OUTSTANDIN­G TALENT: Aberdeen gymnast Orianne Slater pictured in training.
Photograph­s: Kami Thomson OUTSTANDIN­G TALENT: Aberdeen gymnast Orianne Slater pictured in training.

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