ASHLEIGH Corcoran has joined the best of Britain’s rising figure skating stars after being called up to the National Ice Skating Association’s development squad.
The nine-year-old from Ellesmere Port learned the news fresh from competing in the Reykjavik International Games in Iceland where she finished a highly respectable eighth in her age group.
“She’s probably one of the youngest skaters in the squad,” said proud mum Janine. “She’s been skating for three years and in that time she’s gone up to a NISA level six. Eight is the British qualifying level so to get to that stage for her age is very good.”
Selection for the development squad will play a big part towards Deeside Ice Skating Club member Ashleigh’s dreams of one day representing Britain at the Winter Olympics.
“These are the kids they will watch and train for the future,” added Janine. “Short term, in the next couple of years, she wants to be competing in the British team and, long-term she wants to go all the way to the top.
“The Winter Olympics are next month and it would be nice to think she will take part in a few years. That would be a dream for her, obviously.”
Ashleigh, a pupil at St Bernard’s Primary School, wants to build on her experiences of competing on the international stage.
But like many aspiring sports stars, sponsorship would prove a huge help.
“She wants to go on and do more international tournaments for experience but the problem at the moment is money,” said Janine. “We’re looking for funding opportunities because we’re funding it all ourselves and it proves quite expensive.
“To fulfil her potential, these are the experiences she needs. But unfortunately, like every sport, until you have made it, you are financing yourself.”
If you can help sponsor Ashleigh or provide funding, contact her mum Janine on 07588 568850.
