Sabre rattler!

Photo: Darren Robinson

Bethany in her England kit.

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

A SUPERSTAR schoolgirl is just steps away from achieving her life's dream of fencing in the Olympic Games after being selected to represent the country.

The dedicated 11-year-old has only been attending Marshall Fencing Club, based at Osborne Mill in Chadderton, for two years.

But head-hunters were so impressed they asked her to fence for England in the under-13 girls' sabre competition in Poland this month.

Bethany Brierley will be the youngest fencer representing England when she travels to Wroclaw for the Challenge Wratislavia 2017 tournament.

The Whitegate End Primary School pupil said: "I really enjoy fencing because it makes me feel I have achieved something. I like competing against different people and after every tournament I set myself goals to improve."

Bethany, from Chadderton, trains at the Manchester Fencing Centre three times each week with her coach Dave Taylor.

Around 20 other young fencers train alongside her at the centre, which opened in December 2015 to offer regular classes for children aged six and up.

Mr Taylor said: "It brought a tear to my eye when she received her recent news.

"She has done an outstanding job. She only began fencing two years ago and last year she was awarded Most Devoted Fencer.

"She doesn't stop. She is first in and last out.

"Her footwork has really developed. It is a unique combination between hand, head and foot and even in the last three months she has improved.

"She has a hell of a future ahead of her in fencing if she wants it."

Bethany began attending lessons aged just nine after her older sister Elle Brierley (13) picked up the sport.

Two years on she was crowned the under-12 champion at the England Youth Championships 2016 tournament in Hertfordshire.

The selection saw her travel to Romania last November. Participating in an international competition was one of the criteria for representing England.

Mum Joanne Lawrie said: "She just seems to have taken to it and it has been absolutely marvellous to see her grow.

"She takes on board whatever her coach teaches her. She is a natural."

Bethany's latest success came when she bagged fourth in the Leon Paul Junior Series. Fencers collect ranking points from each event with those in the top eight being selected to represent England.

She is one of only three in the country selected for the under-13 girls category.

If Bethany secures a place in the top eight in Poland she will automatically go on to compete in the Commonwealth Games. The next step would be selection for the Olympic Games.

• See more pictures of Bethany Brierley on our picture sales page.