Rock star Edith’s high hopes

TO the top: Edith Smith in action

A TALENTED nine-year-old girl from Royton has scaled the heights in a national climbing competition — just over a year after taking up the sport at Oldham youth zone Mahdlo.


Edith Smith reached the grand final for her age group at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena after getting through the North-West regional heats. A record 307 climbers from 11 regions competed in 10 categories.

Edith took on 29 other competitors in the final and took joint 10th in her age group - a startling performance for someone who first tried the sport on her first visit to Mahdlo in 2013.

When she realised she had a natural talent, Edith joined the Egerton Street youth zone and began training regularly.

She said: “I started going to the Junior Zone on the day of my eighth birthday, and the climbing wall was the first thing I went on. The instructors there built up my confidence - if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have taken up climbing as a sport.”

In addition to her achievements in the national competition, Edith took part in Rocfest ’15, meeting top GB climbers including British number one Shauna Coxsey, and is now eligible to attend one a regional academy.

Mahdlo’s youth work manager, Lucy Kershaw, said: “Our climbing instructors have seen her show so much progress and work really hard — we are so proud of her achievements and know she will go far.”

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