RACE walker Matthew Redfern is hoping to put his best foot forward for England.
The student at Newhall’s William Allitt School has been chosen for the national team to take part in the Irish National Championships at Tullamore in Co Offally on July 23.
The 12-year-old, from Bretby-on-the- Hill, will be competing in the under-13 category after twice being crowned English champion in his age group.
His mum, Emma, said: “This is the first time Matthew has been chosen to represent England — and he’s absolutely thrilled.” Matthew only took up the sport after struggling in a school sports race.
Ms Redfern said: “Matthew used to be a cross country runner, but decided he wanted to do something different after he finished last in one race! “I suggested he should have a go at race walking, and he’s proved fantastic at it.” Matthew was once a member of Burton Athletics Club but joined Nuneaton Harriers, who have a strong race walking tradition.
His mother said: “Nuneaton Harriers are able to provide Matthew with the specialist training and coaching he needs to progress in the sport.
“The club’s race walking section is a really strong and good group and moving there has helped him to be number one in England.
“He’s won the national title twice as well as the Midlands championship.” Matthew is hoping he will eventually help to put England back in the elite group of race walking nations.
Don Thompson and Ken Matthews won gold medals for Britain at the Rome and Tokyo Olympics respectively in the 1960s, but in modern times race walking has been dominated mostly by Eastern European athletes.
Redfern warms up for his England debut when he competes for Derbyshire in the English Schools’ Championship at Sutton-in-Ashfield tomorrow.
