THE new year has got off to a flying start for Frome Canoe Club, with five members accepted on to the 2022 training squads for British Canoeing’s Talent Programme.
And three of those canoeists will compete later this year for a place on the Junior GB Team for 2022.
The club reports, “We have a strong youth section competing in the Olympic sport of Canoe Slalom; you may have seen them down at the river on these cold, dark nights training through the winter to hone their skills ready for the racing season to start in March.
“Despite the size of the club and the flat water they train on, Frome Canoe Club has a very strong presence on the national racing circuit and in the British Canoeing talent pathway, resulting in a Talent Club Partnership.
“The 2022 training squads for British Canoeing’s Talent Programme have been announced and Frome Canoe Club has five young athletes accepted onto the scheme that represents the best future athletes in the country.
“In the Southern Regional Development Squad, Maddie Hobbs and Jasmine Wilde (both in the J14 category) are ranked 4th and 2nd, respectively, in the UK in kayak, with similar rankings in canoe.
“In the England National Talent Squad, which has funding for the best thirteen J18 athletes from across the country, are Jacob Lines and Aimee Collins, ranked 3rd junior (U18) and 7th junior (U18) in the UK respectively in kayak, with similar rankings in canoe.
“Another club member, Finn Johnson has been invited to attend many of the training camps for this squad, as a reward for his commitment and performance to the sport throughout 2021.
“Jacob, Finn and Aimee will be competing in April for a place on the Junior GB Team for 2022.
“All of these athletes travel to the Lee Valley White Water Centre most weekends and to Cardiff White Water Centre during the week, resulting in an enormous commitment not just from themselves, but from their families.
“The club is also very proud of Aimee Collins who has won the British Canoeing Rising Star Award 2021 for her commitment to the club and for the hours she puts in coaching the new starters.
“If you know of a child (min age 8) who would like to try this exciting sport or just learn to paddle for fun, please contact fromecanoeclub@gmail.com as we will be running new starter programmes commencing in May.”
