Announcements

RAINFORD gymnast Jacob Kelly is the latest of the borough’s tumblers to make an impression.

The 11-year-old came a creditable fifth in the recent British Championships at the Liverpool Echo Arena.

He has now been selected to represent Great Britain at the 2016 Loulé Cup which is being held in Portugal from 26-30 October.

Tumbling is a sport the town has some pedigree in, given 2014 World Champion Rachel Letsche hails from Sutton Leach, and Jacob is now following in similar footsteps, with the same regular training regime at Wakefield Gymnastics Club.

His mum Janette Kelly said: “Jake’s heart lies with Tumbling.

“He eats, sleeps, and breathes it and and trains four times a week.

“We have never seen Jacob so focused and determined.”

Last year Jacob broke two big toes, one earlier in the year which set him back a little and one later in the year which meant he was unable to compete in his first British Championships or attend a trial for the World Age Team, despite this Jacob remained focused, kept his head down and continued to train.

In March this year he was selected for the GB 2016 Tumbling National Junior Squad. with the long term aim of preparing for selection for the 2017 World Age Group competition in Sofia, Bulgaria.

He has received a boost too in the form of a sports scholarship award from Andy Bell.

Janette added: “Tumbling is not an Olympic Sport and therefore is self-funded until they become senior at 18-years-old, so we welcomed the AJ Bell Trust Sports Scholarship Award.

“The first thing Jacob bought was his Great Britain training kit, and now he has been selected he will be buying his competition kit and will also cover the cost of his first international competition, which we would like to thank Andy Bell for.”