One of the country’s finest young archers has been selected to represent Team GB at the Rio 2016 Paralympics later this year.

Jessica Stretton, 16, from Hemel Hempstead, will live her dream by competing against other nations in the prestigious sporting event hosted in Rio de Janeiro from September 7.

Jess, who has cerebral palsy, said: “I am very proud to have been selected to represent Great Britain at the Paralympics in Rio.
“It all feels a bit surreal. On Friday I was sat in an exam hall taking a GCSE science exam in biology and on the Saturday I was in Czech Republic competing at a world ranking competition.

“Then I came back with a gold medal to find out I had been selected for Paralympics GB on the Monday.”

The youngster, who has just celebrated her Year 11 prom after sitting her GCSE exams at Longdean School in Bennetts End, has been juggling revision with training and competitions abroad.

Graham Cunningham, headteacher at the school on Rumballs Road, said: “We are delighted for Jess. This achievement is testament to the hard work she has put in.

“It was one of our PE staff who encouraged Jess to try Paralympic sport like Boccia, and she’s done all of this while studying her GCSEs.”

Read more: http://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/news/our-jess-is-picked-for-rio-2016-1-7454705#ixzz4CzcKgKPI

Last edited by Ken Woodward on June 29, 2016