UCLan supports rising Skiing star

Sports Psychologist Amy Whitehead has been helping promising skier Bethany Widdup ahead of the upcoming winter season.

Amy (left) has used her expertise to support Bethany as she bids to represent Great Britain at the World Junior Championships in Norway.

Bethany teamed up with Amy last year after the Colne youngster was awarded a grant and support from UCLan as part of the Lancashire Rising Star Fund scheme.

The project, in association with Lancashire Sport Partnership, Lancashire County Council and UCLan, awards the grants to individuals to cover costs such as travel, training, accommodation, competition fees, and equipment.

In addition, each recipient receives a package of support from UCLan which includes strength and conditioning services, nutritional advice and support and access to UCLan sports and training facilities.

Bethany said: "I'd never received this kind of structural support before and I can really see the benefits now. Amy has been helping me stay focused in preparation for the new season. My main aim is to qualify and then be selected for the Would Juniors in Norway."

Bethany has attended training camps in Italy and Chile during the summer, before returning to the UK to work with Amy along with undertaking some intensive fitness sessions. She will complete her preparations with a 10 day glacier camp in Austria.

Amy commented: "Bethany has done extremely well over the last year. She has worked incredibly hard both on and off the slopes and it has really shown in her results.

"We have had several meetings over the last three weeks to get Bethany's mind ready to step up to the next level and be ready to qualify for the World Juniors, and I have no doubt she will achieve the goals we have set."