Children across South Ayrshire are being supported to realise their ambitions, regardless of personal hurdles. The latest success story is nine year old Evie MacLeod from Ayr who has overcome physical disability to shine as a gymnastic star in the making through the Council's Learn 2 Gymnastics programme.
Evie was born without her full left hand so some activities and sports are a little more challenging for her than for others. Despite this, her determination, perseverance and an all-round great attitude towards her gymnastics, has seen her reach new levels of success and she was recently awarded with an achievement award for Gymnastics.
Evie has been attending gymnastics through the South Ayrshire Sports Development programme since she was five. She started gymnastics in a beginner's class at Mossblown Activity Centre and being the only girl from her school there, must have found it a little scary but as she is a friendly, fun girl she soon found her place.
Evie has worked hard and managed to overcome any difficulties arising in executing gymnastics skills, and has with the help of her coaches managed to achieve a number of key gymnastics skills including cartwheels, handstands, and bridges. Most recently Evie took part in her first class Floor and Vault competition, a daunting event for any gymnast, and finished with a very respectable score in both floor and vault.
Councillor Brian McGinley, South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Economy and Culture said that Evie was an inspiration, "To succeed in sport you have to have the drive to push yourself to your limit and it's clear that Evie's a girl that won't take no for an answer.
"We're proud to have supported this inspirational youngster to pursue her dreams and I wish her every success in her quest to compete at the highest possible level.
"Our Learn 2 Gymnastics programme supports people from 18 months and up and we hope that anyone looking for a new challenge gets in touch and finds out more."
Evie told us she already had her sights set on her next big goal, "My mum and dad have been really great and they've helped me to do everything I want to with my gymnastics
"I've been improving a lot in the last few months and hope to be able to take part in competitions in the future so I'll just need to keep training!"
Gymnastics isn't Evie's only hobby; she also attends regular swimming classes and is a keen member of a local Karate squad, Bujinkai which she trains at four hours a week.
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