YOUNG Katie Rilett-Young showed off her all-round abilities after winning five individual gold medals and two team awards at the annual Dwarf Sports Association Annual Games.

The 13-year-old from Burnley picked up her first medal of the three-day event held in Wolverhampton and Walsall when she won the girls under 15s shot put.

However, it is in the pool were she really excelled and showed that she is a real star in the making.

Katie, (right) who is a member of Burnley Bobcats Swimming Club, entered four events in the pool – the 50m backstroke, 100m freestyle, 100m breastroke and 50m freestyle – and she won gold in each of them and achieved four personal best times.

“It is fantastic to see one of our swimmers doing so well,” said Bobcats head coach Michael Robinson.

“Katie has been a welcome addition to the squad and we look forward to her attending galas with Bobcats in the next couple of months.”

As well as her individual success, Katie was picked to captain the 4x25m relay team where she swam the anchor leg and brought the team from a long way back to finish second and claim the silver medal.

Over the weekend, each individual earned points for their region in every event they take part in.

Katie’s points tally helped the North West win the overall Regional Trophy.

Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds was the special guest who presented the medals to the younger swimmers.

Katie is registered with British Swimming as an S6 swimmer.

She joined the Bobcats in January and now trains five times a week with the squad at the St Peters Centre and attends Long Course training with the squad in Manchester.

Katie is also a member of Colne ASC and trains there with coach Andrew Croxhall.

Next year, she aims to compete in the World Dwarf Games, which are being held in Michigan, USA.

Elite dwarf athletes from every continent will vie for medals and 500 competitors are expected to wear their country’s colours at this international competition, which like the Olympic Games only takes place every four years.

Any group or organization that can help sponsor Katie on her trip to Michigan, USA can contact her via the Bobcats website www.burnleybobcats.org.uk