Year 8 gymnast qualifies for national championships

Year 8 Millie has battled back from a double ankle break to win a gold medal in the English Championships and qualify for a chance to compete at the National Championships. 

Millie, who says her favourite discipline is bars, has been involved with gymnastics for eight years. 

“I think I just wanted to try it and see if I liked it and I did,” she said. 

“I train 14-and-a-half hours a week with the City of Preston Gymnastics Club – which is four days a week so I am dedicated.” 

Millie has competed in Malta, where she came third on the vault and third overall as a team, and the Isle of Man, where she won overall, but suffered a setback earlier this year. 

“I broke my ankle both sides when I fell off the bars. I was out for around six months."

She admitted it was frustrating not being able to train but she kept in ‘good condition’. 

She is back in full training now and last month took part in the Moss English Gymnastics Championships winning gold in her category and coming fourth overall. She competed at a higher level this year too, moving up from Bronze to Silver Intermediate.  

“My next big event is the North West Prelims in March at Wigan, which are qualifiers for the National Finals. It’s a chance to represent the North West team so it’s one of my biggest events so far.” 

Millie also enjoys netball and football.