A YOUNG Dunfermline girl is aiming for national success after making the cut for a top baton twirling competition in April.

Kaitlin Laurence (10), of Pentland Terrace, Abbeyview, is heading to the British Baton Twirling Sports Association Nationals where she will take on around 500 other competitors in Crawley for the chance of winning a dream title.

Mum Laura Niven watches her daughter at every show and is just as excited as Kaitlin for the huge competition.

“Proud isn’t the word,” she said. “She’s just fantastic. I watch everything she does and I don’t know how to describe it, it’s just the proudest moments ever.

“She’s been doing it for five years now. It just started as a hobby and it’s something completely different, it’s brilliant. She just keeps going further and further and has the potential to go really far.” Kaitlin, who is part of YV’s Twirl Team, is one of three athletes from her club to have qualified for the elite tournament and Laura is sure that the youngster will do her very best up against some top-class competition.

“I have high hopes for her,” she said. “It will be hard but she can pull through if she puts her mind to it. I’ve explained to her that whatever happens in the placements, the experience will be good. It will be the biggest competition she’s done – the most she’s done until this one was with about 200 kids.” Kaitlin, who has passed her bronze, silver and gold grades, will be competing in five categories at the event – solo, duo, fancy strut, two baton and dance twirl. Despite the pressure, Laura knows that her daughter will definitely not be short of practice by the time April comes around!

“She loves it, it’s everything she talks about!” she said with a laugh. “She twirls constantly at home.” In order to travel to Crawley for the finals, however, Kaitlin’s team needs to raise money to cover costs for travel, accommodation and new tracksuits. Coach Yvonne McCreadie is looking to raise £1100 to help get them to the nationals and has been relying on the efforts of tireless parents and fund-raisers.

If you’re interested in helping get the talented twirlers to the competition, email twirlyv@hotmail.com