CANOE slalom club CR Cats, based at the Colorado Canoeing Centre of Excellence in Alva, is absolutely delighted that its youngsters have secured five out of the 14 boats (and five out of six Scottish qualifiers) representing Great Britain in the Junior 18 category at the European Championships in Krakow later this year.

What’s even more astonishing is that 15-year-old twins Rebecca and Sophie Ogilvie have both secured places in the team.

Rebecca finished first overall in the J18 K1 selections races, not only securing her place on the team for European Championships but also a place in the World Championships in Brazil later this month.

Understandably she is over the moon and, although only 15, she is also the only female to have achieved selection for the GB Junior team.

Meanwhile, her twin sister, Sophie, who was in the selection races for two categories, (C1 and K1) finished overall first in the C1 category and made selection for European Championships. She also made first reserve in the K1.

Incredibly, this is the second year that Sophie has been selected to represent GB in C1 as last year she was the joint youngest female ever to represent her country in this discipline.

In fact the club is going from strength to strength.

Angela Ogilvie, the twin’s mum, and property director at Ceteris, who sponsor the girls, said: “The girls could never have achieved these feats if not for volunteer coaches Neil Caffrey, Johnny Brown, Davie Dickson, Paul Kelly and Jane and Gary Gibson.

“And Sophie and Rebecca aren’t the only success stories, Angus Gibson (17) is representing GB in the C1 category for the second year running – he has made the European Championships. Fellow team members, Michael Brown and Andrew Houston won first places in their selection races in C2.

“In addition, Isla Kelly (also only 15) has been selected for the European Championships in the C1 category, and Aiden Waters and Aiden McAleenan finished first overall in their C2 category.” Angela added: “It’s astonishing that a small club based in Alva, run by volunteer coaches and with the support and dedication of parents and families, has had such outstanding success. This is an under-reported sport, but it’s a great spectator sport, it’s absolutely thrilling to watch the girls and their team-mates performing. The competitors train so hard and have achieved so much.” Margaret Mary Rafferty, Ceteris managing director said: “We are delighted to sponsor the girls. When we decided to do it originally we had no idea how successful they were going to be.

“But we do have many claims on our funds and we are limited as to what we can commit, so any companies out there who want to be connected to sporting success, now is the chance to catch the girls when they are young and at the start of their sporting career.” Anyone interested in sponsoring the girls, contact Angela Ogilvie, on 01259 721454.