WARDLE skater Louise Smith is set to become a star of the future.
The 10-year-old has only been skating for two years but her coaches at Blackburn Arena are excited by the progress she has made.
She achieved her skating gold passport in October 2007, began competing in March, and has won competitions throughout the UK.
Louise won three gold medals - in Bristol, Lee Valley and Hull - and two silver - in Telford and Deeside, competing against more than 200 skaters.
She is now a Level 2 figure skater and takes her Level 3 test next month.
Her aim is to reach National Ice Skating Association Level 8 which will allow her to take part in International Judging qualifier competitions.
From there she would hope to enter the Novice British Championships and go on to achieve her ambition of a career in figure skating.
Louise is coached by former British champions Stephen Pickavance and Karen Barber who are delighted with her attitude, commitment and progress and said: "Louise has greatly exceeded all our expectations this season. We are excited by things to come."
Louise knows there is a lot of hard work and intense training ahead of her, but as her mother Dawn explained, she takes it all in her stride.
She added: "Louise always has a smile on her face and a good attitude in training. She loves the challenge of learning new skating skills.
"Stephen and Karen are extremely accomplished skaters and coaches, and Louise is very lucky to have such wonderful teachers."
Off the ice, Louise trains with Cheryl Gharbi at Rochdale Olympic Gymnastics Club and attends Helen Dwyer's (RAD) ballet class in Norden.
Article originally featured on www.rochdaleobserver.co.uk
