Crossbar launch search for Fantastic Five

Shropshire-based Crossbar Coaching are keen to help local youngsters achieve their potential in sport by launching the search for Crossbar's Fantastic Five.

Gavin Cowan, director of Crossbar Coaching, said his company already provides support to promising Shrewsbury cyclist Beth Coupland and Telford youngster Mai-Lei King who has made her mark nationally in Crossfit.

Now he wants to help three more up and coming Shropshire athletes who will be able to reap the rewards of being associated with Crossbar's support network.

The company, which employs more than 20 coaches, deliver sport across the curriculum to a number of county schools and also run football academies and holiday courses.

Gavin said: "We're all about offering opportunity so we've come up with the idea of Crossbar's Fantastic Five.

"We want to pick five individuals who are 16 or under who need a little bit of support in their chosen sport.

"We might be able to help them by supplying them with some kit as we have done with Beth and May-Lei. We will help out in any way we can.

"Beth, for example, has had a bike wheel case and a tracksuit, things like that, so it all helps to raise her profile. She's doing really well in cycling, competing against women now, and I'm sure she will have a good season.   

"Mai-Lei's a really sporty girl who has attended our football schools in the past. She's got a fantastic attitude, an amazing application and dedication to what she does.

"She took up crossfit because her dad was doing it and recently won a tournament in Manchester.

"We've kitted her out with some t-shirts, some leggings, some tracksuits, and it's all about letting her know that someone believes in her."

Gavin added he was now looking forward to more sporty local youngsters getting in touch with a view to joining the Fantastic Five.

He said: "We're looking for another three so we will welcome applications from anyone who thinks they could do with a little bit of support in their sport.

"They just need to tell us about themselves and how they feel we can help. Many of our coaches have been lucky to have a support system so this is where we want to come in really."

Rising cycling star Beth, 16, said she would definitely recommend becoming involved with Crossbar Coaching to any fellow talented sporting youngsters in the county.

She added: "Crossbar have been very supportive for all my cycling and a big help with the equipment I have to get.

"Crossbar's Fantastic Five is a great idea and it will be very good for myself to be able to interact with other athletes. It's nice for the likes of May-Lei and myself to know we have their backing.

"I'm hoping to compete in the national championships this year and do well. I want to use this year as a learning curve and to keep getting better and better."