Beats off the competition

Published on 9th August 2007 in Sport

A young swimming sensation from Goole is thrilled after beating off competition from hundreds of other sports-mad youngsters to win a week at a top sporting academy this summer.

Thirteen-year-old Ellie Acaster entered the Great British Chicken sporting competition in the hope that the intensive coaching prize would boost her chances of qualifying for the National Championships.

She was delighted when her dedication - which sees her spending 14 to 16 hours a week in the swimming pool - paid off.

Ellie lives in Goole with her mum, dad and nine-year-old sister Sophie, and is a committed young swimmer who looks up to Michael Phelps, and hopes one day to swim for Great Britain in the Olympics.

Ellie's dad, Paul, said: "Ellie was delighted when she found out she had won. The expert coaching and advice at the academy could really help her achieve the qualifying time for the National Championships."

Ellie enrolled at Exsportise sports academy in Dorset on July 29, with 14 other Great British Chicken prize winners for a week's intensive coaching. While there she met Sally Gunnell, OBE as part of her prize.

WINNING STREAK: Ellie shows off her winning certificate with the former 400 metres World and Olympic champion and also former BBC athletics commentator Sally Gunnell, OBE. (09-08-06 SU)