Bleasdale gets boost from rich entrepreneur

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.lep.co.uk/sport/other-local- ... _1_4002951


Bleasdale’s vaulting ambition gets boost

Future stars: Holly Bleasdale enjoys passing on training advice to youngsters

Published on Friday 25 November 2011 01:07

Euxton’s World Junior pole vault bronze medal winner Holly Bleasdale has received a boost ahead of next year’s Olympics.

Barrie Wells, the entrepreneur who funds 17 athletes as they train for next year’s competition, will also support Bleasdale.

She will join a group of top Wells-backed athletes, who include Dai Greene, Jessica Ennis, Jodie Williams, Jenny Meadows, Michael Rimmer and Katarina Johnson-Thompson.

The funding goes towards training and living expenses.

In Bleasdale’s case itwill enable her coach to give up his job and work with her full time.

Wells has a particular affiliation with the pole vault.

His maternal grandfather Latimer Stones was world pole-vault record holder at 3.53m in 1888 and in 1889 he had five of the nine highest vaults in the world – and these were the days of heavy wooden poles and hard landings.

In 1889 he was also the British, United States and Canadian champion, having travelled to North America by boat.

Said Bleasdale: “I’m currently training to jump 4.9 and, with Barrie’s support, my confidence in my ability has increased knowing that my coach can focus on me 100%in order to work on the things I need to improve.

“It is great to be part of something like this as it is building my confidence in other ways too, such as spending time with other types of athletes and working with young peoples in schools.”

Born in Preston, Bleasdale trains at Sportcity in Manchester and is coached by Julien Raffalli.

Like Barrie’s other athletes, she will ‘repay’ Wells by visiting schools as part of the Foundation’s Athletes 4 Schools Scheme to inspire young people through the values of sport.

[Bubba PV]

Great for her. Was just about to send you the article but here it is. Considering her age, talent, performances / progression last season I thought her "training for 4.90m" was pretty conservative. Bubba