A GYMNAST who trained in Uttoxeter is appealing for sponsorship after being selected to represent the United Kingdom in the cheerleading championships.
Laura Wordley, who lives in Roston, has been selected to represent the country in the Cheerleading World Championship in Orlando, Florida, in April 2013.
The 20-year-old had been competing at national and regional competition level for her Birmingham University squad and after being successful at trials, Miss Wordley has been selected by the All-Star International Squad, Coventry Dynamite, to represent the UK.
Cheerleading combines gymnastics, tumbling and dance moves in a routine set to music. Miss Wordley is a flyer, which requires her to be thrown in to the air while somersaulting and twisting. Sometimes she is thrown between different base teams. Speaking of her next adventure, Miss Wordley said she is looking forward to competing against teams from across the world.
She said: “I am so excited to compete at the Cheerleading World Championships and it will be a great experience to compete against teams from all over the world, especially all the amazing American teams.
“I am so happy and grateful to have been given this opportunity and I cant wait to go to Florida and compete with such a close and supportive team.”
The former Queen Elizabeth Grammar School pupil, in Ashbourne, has a background as a competitive gymnast and coach and has been a member of Uttoxeter Gymnastics Club since she was four years old.
She is currently in her second year studying sport and exercise sciences at the University of Birmingham.
Miss Wordley said: “It has always been my dream to compete at the World Championship level and to help me meet the costs, which include flights, accommodation, competition entry fees, squad kit, training and travelling costs; I am hoping to raise a sponsorship amount of £1,000.
“If there are any local businesses or individuals who can offer a small sponsorship to help me achieve my dream, I would be grateful.”
Anyone wanting to sponsor Miss Wordley is asked to e-mail looloo55@hotmail.co.uk
