Duo have what it takes

10:44am Saturday 16th February 2008

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AN Olympic champion has tipped two Vale Royal AC runners to reach the top of their sport.

Dame Kelly Holmes says Charlotte Roach and Stevie Stockton are among the best young middle distance athletes in the country.

"They have a real desire to achieve," she said after meeting the pair in London this week.

She was so impressed that she has asked both to be part of her On Camp With Kelly scheme - a Norwich Union-backed initiative that teaches the country's brightest talents what it takes to be the best.

The teenagers both missed a selection day earlier this month but Holmes still wanted to speak to them.

Both completed a task on goal setting and took part in a question and answer session with the double gold medal winner.

"Because of the quality of their performances over 1,500m last year I still wanted to consider them," she said.

"I believe I can help them to develop in their athletics careers and achieve their potential."

Roach, 19, and Stockton, 18, are two of 15 athletes that have been invited to a camp at Loughborough University.

After that they will become full members of On Camp with Kelly and be able to benefit from regular meetings, exhibition races, financial and medical support and mentoring from Holmes.

"They were both over the moon when they found out they had been picked," said coach Shaun McGrath.

"Stevie had her picture taken with Kelly at the UK Schools' Games in the summer so she was able to get it signed this week.

"It's a tremendous achievement for two athletes from the same club to be picked for something like this."