Canoeists are selected for elite training event (From The Northern Echo)
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Canoeists are selected for elite training event
11:49am Tuesday 9th December 2008 in Search
ON COURSE: Andrew Martin, left, and Calum Cresser in action
TWO canoeing stars hope to further their Olympic aspirations after they were selected for an elite training camp.
Calum Cresser, 11, from Darlington, and Andrew Martin, 15, of Seaham, east Durham, are joining the event at the Tees Barrage, Stockton, on December 20 and 21.
Andrew who attends Seaham School of Technology, has represented Great Britain in a number of European competitions and is ranked first for his age in the country.
Calum, who studies at Hummersknott Comprehensive School, in Darlington, has won the British Championship in slalom canoeing for his age group for the past two years. Coach Darren Cresser – Calum’s cousin – said: “Both of these lads have got really good potential and they are ranked highest in their age categories in Great Britain.
They have the potential to go all the way.”
Junior development coach Neil Buckley said: “I regularly travel from my base in Nottingham to support local athletes in Tees Valley and help the regional organiser, Darren Cresser, develop talent around here.”
Alan Slater, from British Waterways, which is involved in the barrage, said: “These talented youngsters are the adult canoeing stars of the future and we look forward to welcoming them and GB Canoeing here later this month.”
Les Southerton, project director of the Stockton Middlesbrough Initiative, said: “The training sessions are a real taste of what could come with the potential 2012 training camps coming here at the Tees Barrage. We have a number of really talented young athletes in the area and they are sure to be inspired by the high standard of coaching and national canoeists coming to the area.”
A £3.5m redevelopment of the Tees Barrage whitewater course will start early next year. It will make it one of the world’s most environmentally friendly whitewater facilities.
Mr Buckley said: “We are all really looking forward to the redevelopment of the facilities, which will be fantastic not just for top-level Tees Valley canoeists, but everyone who enjoys rafting as well.”
