Steyning starlet books GB elite squad place

Charlie, eight, has been awarded an elite athlete status by the Great Britain Snowboard team and is currently attending a four month training camp in Mayrhofen, Austria.

The Steyning Primary School student, who is one of just four junior snowboarders on the tour, has been given special dispensation from his school to attend until May.

Charlie had been working with the GBX team camps towards the end of last year and his performances in those sessions have seen him rewarded with an elite status placing in Austria.

The young gun admitted he is enjoying his time at the camp and said: “I am excited because I am preparing for the Valley Rally Austria event, which is an international event in two weeks’ time.

“I am training hard every day on my slopestyle routine. The conditions at the moment are not good because of the heavy snowfall and it is getting very cold.

“After this event, I am going to Laax in Switzerland for The Brits which is a week-long jam and competition.”

Charlie’s latest achievement has also seen him awarded sponsorship from a leading snowboarding manufacturer, as well as a clothing company.

He has been placed in a development programme which allows him to train all winter and provides him with the chance to compete in international competitions across Europe later this year.

At just eight, Charlie has missed home and said: “I miss my brother Ben and all of my friends at Steyning Primary School year four.

“I’m also missing my favourite food, chicken soup. I have asked my mum to bring some tins out with her when she comes to visit me in a couple of weeks.

“I am really enjoying snowboarding every day, riding with the top three junior snowboarders in the UK.

“I have two great coaches training me every day in Steve Addicott and Kate Foster.”

The Steyning talent has his sights firmly set on the Burton World Rookie Tour, which he can join next winter.

That would see him compete in both Canada and America.

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