Megan Shackleton, a 14-year-from Todmorden, is to represent England North East in the disability group matches at the Sainsbury’s 2013 School Games at Ponds Forge, Sheffield.
The event, which is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, is a major multi-sport event for the nation’s talented young athletes. It will see more than 1,600 entrants compete across 12 sports between September 12 and 15.
The Todmorden High School pupil is following in the footsteps of Paralympic sprint gold medallists Hannah Cockroft from Halifax and Jonnie Peacock, Paralympic swimming gold medallist Ellie Simmonds, Olympic bronze gymnastics medallists Max Whitlock and Sam Oldham and top GB sprinter Adam Gemilli. They all competed at the event before going on to success at senior level.
A delighted Shackleton said: “I am really excited and proud to be selected for the second year in a row.
“To compete at the Sainsbury’s 2012 School Games in London at the Olympic and Paralympic venue was incredible and a really amazing experience which I think I learned a lot from.
“My main aim is to make sure I leave Sheffield knowing I’ve played my best and given it my all for the team.”
Sainsbury’s Active Kids ambassador, former Manchester United and England footballer David Beckham, congratulated Shackleton: “Megan should be incredibly proud of being selected to compete.”