Thatcham sisters selected for baton twirling world championships

Kennet pupils are looking for sponsorship to join national team in Switzerland next year

TWO Thatcham teenagers hope to live their dreams of becoming world champions in baton twirling.

Pippa and Rosie Cooper, aged 15 and 13, of Henwick Lane, have been selected to represent England at the world championship in Switzerland next Easter.

Both will compete in the team event of pom pom core and are now trying to raise the £1,000 each to attend.

Their mother, Cheryl Cooper, said that this would be the biggest competition in which the girls have competed, as they were selected for the European championships in 2008 in Barcelona, but only as reserves.

She said: “It is going to be a chance of a lifetime for them.

“It is the biggest thing they have achieved so far – if we can raise the money.”

The Kennet School pupils are following in the footsteps of their mother, who was a twirler from the age of eight.

However, Mrs Cooper said: “They have achieved more than I did. I'm really proud of them and want them to achieve.

“It will be great to see them be up against the Americans, where it all started.”

Pippa and Rosie, who attend twice-weekly four-hour training session in Basingstoke, are no strangers to winning competitions.

Over the October half-term school holidays, they both competed at the national championships in Torquay.

Pippa took the title in x-strut and duet, and also got three second places and two fourth places in various disciplines.

Rosie took first place in two baton, as well as two third places, a fourth place and a sixth place in other areas.

Mrs Cooper said: “They will do well at the world championships if they perform the way they did recently.

“They made a lot of people cry; their trainers were very proud of them.”

Any person or business wishing to sponsor the girls should telephone Mrs Cooper on 07733 024418.