Full reward for commitment of rising Hookings

Sophie Hookings has been selected f-or the England Squad for Rhyth mic Gymnastics, capping a year that saw her return to the South W-est after ten years living in Mal lorca, enabling her to follow her gymnastics dream.

H-er passion for rhythmic gym nastics and dream to compete i-nternationally as a British repre sentative meant she had to begin competing in the UK.

Hookings began training with Team Bath Rhythmic Gymnastics in October 2017 under the watchful eye of head coach Sarah Moon.

At that time, the club was being f-eatured in the CBBC series Gym stars and the producers became interested in Hookings’ story. They travelled to Mallorca to film Sophie and to follow her journey to the UK.

The 16-year-old and her mum made a permanent move from Mallorca to the UK in August 2018. Representing Team Bath she travelled to Sofia, Bulgaria, for her second International competition and brought home three golds, winning the All-round medal.

And now her dream to represent the UK on a global stage has taken another leap forward as she has been selected for the English Squad.

“Rhythmic gymnastics is all I have ever wanted to do, reaching my full potential and representing Britain on the international stage is my dream,” Hookings said.

“I appreciate all the support my mum and the Team Bath Rhythmic Gymnastics club have given me. But this journey is expensive, and I am looking for an amazing sponsor who can help make this come true.”

Moon added: “Sophie has the ability, attitude and aptitude to go all the way.

“Unfortunately, as a sport that is mainly taken up by girls rhythmic gymnasts do not get the funds that other sports benefits from.

“A lot of discussion has gone in to how we prevent the massive drop off in teenage girls doing sport.

“We hope that Sophie can get a sponsor to help her go all the way and demonstrate to other teenage girls that its worth pursuing sport through teenage years and beyond.”