Stafford & Stone Canoe Club athletes compete at the Australian Youth Olympics

 

Junior members of Stafford & Stone Canoe Club were amongst the finalists at the Australian Youth Olympics with Claire Kimberley finishing 4^th and Tom Brady 5^th. Both were selected to represent their country after making the finals at the European Junior Championships where Tom won a Silver medal.

 

Tom had a fantastic year in 2008 winning a Silver medal at the European Junior Canoe Slalom Championships in Slovenia – Britain’s first individual men’s junior slalom kayak medal since 1992. Tom also won a Bronze team medal in the Men’s K1Team event. As a result, Tom made the final ten shortlist for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year – a fantastic achievement for a minority sport.

 

Tom Brady in action

 

 

Tom won the Junior British Championships this year as the highest ranked J18 paddler – Tom still has another year as a junior next year. He is ranked 11^th in the country in the Premier Division.

 

Claire Kimberley has also had a great year with some impressive results abroad. Her achievements for 2008 included winning a Bronze team medal at the 2008 Junior European Canoe Slalom Championships. Claire made the final in her individual race, finishing 10^th.  Claire finished 13^th at the 2008 Junior World Championships and won the Junior British Championships as highest ranked J18. Claire still has another year as a junior next year. She is ranked 8^th in the country in canoe slalom.

 

Claire Kimberley in action

 

Tom started canoeing as an eight year old at Stafford & Stone CC whilst Claire started canoeing at SSCC as part of a school-club link with Walton Middle School six years ago. Both train full-time, living in Nottingham as part of the World Class Academy programme.

 

For more information please contact Ruth Holdway by email ruthholdway@hotmail.com