Young Charlotte has the edge.

CHARLOTTE Watson, a 14-year-old from Norton, is still achieving good results in figure skating even though her training rink in Billingham has been closed since the end of June for refurbishment.

Charlotte, who is part of the Tees Active Sports Academy, will return to the new state-of-the-art rink at Billingham in January 2011.

This obstacle has not held back her ambitions to succeed in her chosen competitive sport of Ice Skating.

In September 2009 Charlotte finished 10th in Sheffield IJS (International Judging System) championships against 39 other talented ice skaters from all over the UK.

Charlotte has also passed her level 9 'Field Moves' test on the 20th September, enabling her to enter the highest level of teenage figure skating competitions.

Due to her determined efforts, Charlotte has achieved the prestigious recognition of becoming a member of the Great Britain Regional Development Team.

This 'Talent development Programme' managed by the National Ice Skating Association, gives Charlotte the opportunity to represent Great Britain in future international championship events.

During the closure of Billingham Ice Rink, Charlotte has been training with her coach Christine Eskildsen at Whitley Bay and Sheffield and is preparing for her next big event which is the British Championships in Sheffield on November 23.

Christine says: "Things have been tough since Billingham closed and it is difficult to get to Whitley Bay from Billingham but for Charlotte it has been worth the effort and I'm confident that she will further improve her ranking in the National Championships in November." * For further information on Tees Active Sports Academy contact Allan McDermott on 01642 528772.

"I immediately said I would help. I've since seen the kits and they look really stylish."

He continued "I can't wait to see them play their first game in their brand new strip when the season starts."

Coach Alan Geddes said: "This is a brand new team which has only been together for eight weeks and we were looking forward to starting the season with new kits, unfortunately when I got the call from the original sponsor saying they couldn't help out, I thought we were not going to be able to fulfill our fixtures."

He said: "When I explained the situation to Tony he just asked me how much I needed and wrote a cheque out immediately."

He continued: "I watch the secret millionaire on TV and I know it's not really the same, but it's nice to know that there are some really generous business people who genuinely care."

Skills for coaches REDCAR and Cleveland Council is offering would-be sports coaches a free college training course during the schools' half term holiday.

The Level 2 Community Sports Leadership Award is at Redcar and Cleveland College from October 26 to 29, from 10am-3.30pm, available for over 16s with 22 hours tuition.

The deadline to enrol is October 16. There is a pounds 10 refundable deposit.

For details call council sports development officer Michelle Kirkbright on 01642 496441.

CAPTION(S):

YOUNG TALENT: Charlotte Watson, who is a member of the Great Britain Regional Development Team, will take part in the British Championships held in Sheffield on November 23.