‘First to have a go, always determined and constantly smiling’ were the reasons that Megan Backhouse of Teign School was awarded the top place at the Regional Multi-Skills Academy in Plymouth. She was one of 120 students that took part in a day of challenging physical activities that tested the students all round physical and cognitive ability. She was presented with her award by Brooke Graddon, bronze medallist in the European Diving Championships earlier this year. Megan will receive a number of prizes for her school including a multi-skills equipment bag.

Mary Pratt,  School Sport Co-ordinator at Teign School

‘Megan was quickly identified at Teign School as someone that should attend the South Dartmoor School Sports Partnership Gifted and Talented trials last Autumn. From these trials she was selected to attend a rigorous and educative sports programme over the year, organised by Sue Hutchings from the Sports Partnership in conjunction with Exeter University. She then went on to attend the South West of England Gifted and Talented day in July where she was awarded the top female award’
We’re all really proud and pleased for her recent achievement. She shows tremendous commitment and dedication to her sport, particularly her gymnastics club, Somersaults, in Newton Abbot. Her family and her gymnastics coaches have also played a large part in her success, supporting her in all that she does’.

Megan described the day….

‘ When we arrived we didn’t know each other and we had to make up games to play and teach  the others…..towards the end of the day when we knew each other more we were all cheering each other on as we played rounders.’
‘When they made the final announcements they said there were the three runners-up and then they announced the winner. I was really shocked. I had to shake Brookes’ hand and I had my photo taken with her’

Megan receiving another award recently from the South Dartmoor School Sports Partnership for her effort in the Gifted and Talented Programme. (photograph used with kind permission of PlymstockSSP).