EVESHAM Vale Triathletes’ Casarena Ferreira has secured a place in the West Midlands academy.

The Prince Henry’s High School pupil, 13, attended two days of trials before achieving her place.

The triathlon academy helps talented regional athletes to build on their potential.

In addition to academy days, athletes benefit from continuous monitoring by coaches with a view to ending up on the world-class programme.

In the first trial, Ferreira ran 1,500 metres and produced a personal best of five minutes two seconds in an impressive start.

With strong competition for the 200 metres cycling time trial, the Vale teenager did not perform her best time but the coach invited her back for an interview and cycle assessment.

Ferreira then concentrated on her cycling technique, including track time at Halesowen Velodrome, watt bike assessments and long-distance road riding.

Her interview included submitting a projected winter training programme, consisting of more than 15 hours of training a week across three disciplines, and her short and long-term goals.

The afternoon saw the remaining candidates assessed on their bike skills and Ferreira showed she was strong in this area, reflected in her watt bike assessments. A final meeting with academy coach Steve Lloyd ended with the youngster being selected as part of the squad of 13 academy members.

With swimming not being Ferreira’s strongest discipline, Evesham Vale Triathletes coach Richard Goode helped improve her technique and speed.

She said there is a lot lots of hard work ahead to achieve her goal of selection for the Great Britain team with sights set on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. On her academy call-up, Ferreira added: “It’s amazing and I feel so proud but I know I couldn’t have done it without the supporting environment of my family and the club.”