It was a golden day for 14-year-old, Rebecca Butler, on Saturday, January 10, when she came first in the U17 girls’ shot putt at the North Eastern Counties Athletics Indoor Championships, at Gateshead International Indoor Stadium.

Rebecca, a Year 10 student at our school, threw 9.53metres, beating older girls, to win the under 17 competition. Her performance also placed her in the top ten in the country for U17 girls’ shot putt. This was Rebecca’s first competition, representing Durham City Harriers Athletics Club and her coach, Peter Wileman was really pleased with her performance.

Bishop Barrington School, Director of Specialism (Sport), Assistant Head Teacher, Ben Johnson, said: “I am delighted for Rebecca. To win her first official event is amazing and for someone so young. Rebecca has masses of potential and she needs to focus now and work up the national rankings and keep winning competitions.

“I have no doubt Rebecca has a future in the sport and I hope she fulfils all her potential. She is a lovely student and I am so pleased I was there to see her win her first competition. Mrs Terry (correct) Lawton and Mrs Linda Johnson, both PE teachers at the school were also spectators at the event.”

Her success is all the more remarkable as Rebecca only took up the event last year. Rebecca, whose ambition is to compete in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, was delighted to win at Gateshead.

“I felt really nervous. It was quite scary. I was the youngest in the group and they all had a lot more experience than me; some had been training four years. I was really delighted and shocked when they told me I had won. It wasn’t one of my best throws.”

“I need to develop my technique. I just use my arm; I am beginning to learn how to use my legs as well,” said Rebecca.

Congratulations to Rebecca on her wonderful achievement.