Three sporting stars from a Burntwood high school have joined the growing list of people who have been nominated to carry the Olympic torch as it tours the country before the 2012 Games.
The Chase Terrace Technology College students have been nominated by their school for their achievements in sport, by overcoming illness and encouraging others.
Sixteen-year-old Stephen Sutton has excelled at sport throughout his time at high school, most notably in football and athletics. He represented Walsall FC at under-14s and competed at district level and in national schools competitions at cross country running. Stephen has also had to battle cancer, which he has now overcome, and is looking forward to taking up sport again.
He said:
“I found attitudes of sport and fighting cancer compliment each other quite nicely. Now I’ve beaten cancer and in remission, I’m looking forward to inspiring and helping others. If I were to be given the chance to carry the Olympic torch, it would represent the new life I’m now living with no boundaries.”
Emma Harbage, also 16, has lived with a rare metabolic disorder which means she is unable to break down protein in food. She needs to keep to a strict diet and take a protein substitute. However this hasn’t stopped her developing a passion for sport and has been selected to attend a national rugby talent camp.
Emma has now been offered a scholarship to attend college where she will combine further education with rugby. In addition she has represented both the county and region in gymnastics, coaches gymnastics and is an ambassador for high school sport.
She said:
“I feel it is important to give something back and I get as much pleasure when one of my gymnasts achieves as when I do. Gymnastics requires hard work, dedication and commitment which are also important life skills.”
Amy Douglas, who is in year 13, is a Platinum Sports Ambassador at Chase Terrace. She has led numerous sports groups for all ages, including primary schools and was involved in her own school’s Get Set Olympic network application. Amy also organised sports days and inter-schools tournaments.
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for communities, culture and customers Pat Corfield said all three nominees were a credit to their school and the county and he wished them luck in the nominations process. He added:
“These young nominees have shown bravery, talent and commitment and should certainly be proud of themselves. I’m sure the torch nomination selectors will be pleased to see such excellent candidates put forward. Carrying the torch will be a memorable occasion and further recognition of the good work which is going on in our communities.
“It only takes a few minutes to fill in a nomination and people have until the end of the day on June 29 to complete one.”
People can find out more about how to nominate someone to be a torch bearer by visiting www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay or
the Staffordshire County Council website.
Torch nominees must be at least 12.
