Champion athlete Tom makes strides in the sporting world! (From Penarth Times)

Champion athlete Tom makes strides in the sporting world!

8:20am Thursday 15th November 2012 in Sport

A TALENTED young sportsman is enjoying a rapid rise in national athletics - after becoming a Welsh under-13 champion!

Stanwell pupil Thomas Atkinson was handed a one-year scholarship with Cardiff Archers athletics academy, based at the National Indoor Athletics Centre, Cardiff Metropolitan University, after winning a home-grown talent scheme hosted by McCain earlier this year.

He also got to meet Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell as part of his prize - and his ascent in junior athletics has developed since then.

At the recent Welsh Athletics & Welsh Schools’ Combined Events Championships, held at Cardiff Met, he scored personal bests in shot put, long jump, 800 metres, and 60 metre hurdles, to take the overall U13 title. His coach, Emma Lyons, said it was his ability across a range of sports that made him such a promising prospect.

“Tom is progressing really well," she said.

"He is talented in a range of disciplines and able to pick up techniques quickly and easily.

“He is still growing so there will be some adjustments to be made but hopefully we can continue coaching him and developing his talent.”

Tom, from Dinas Powys, was also recently snapped up by the Newport County FC Academy, further adding to his busy schedule.

His mum Laura said his family were “very proud” of what he had achieved.

“Between the football and the athletics he hasn’t got too much time to spare, but he is doing really well at the moment and long may it continue,” she said.