A YOUNG Hale gymnast has scooped gold the National Gymnastics Championships.

Daniel Cockx, 11, was one of five in the North West Regional team to clinch gold at the National Championships in Birmingham earlier this month.

Each member of the team performed seven disciplines – rings, parallel bars, high bar, vault, floor exercise, horizontal bars and physical preparation routine.

Proud mum Vera said: “Daniel trains more than 21 hours every week so he has to be organised and plan when he’s going to do all his homework but he loves gymnastics. If he’s not doing it he’s watching it.”

Daniel, a St Bede’s College pupil, was selected as part of the North West squad at the regional selection competition in Wigan earlier this year.

He first started gymnastics when, as a seven-year-old, he was practising cartwheels around the house.

Vera signed him up for classes at the City of Manchester Institute of Gymnastics in Gorton and he has gone from strength to strength.

Daniel’s coach, Colin Leigh, said Daniel and the team worked very hard to achieve gold medal standard.

“If you want to do anything at a high level you have to put the hours in,” he said.

“Gymnasts have to be of a certain mind-set. They have to be able to set individual targets, be self-disciplined and concentrate. These are all things that help young people do well at school, too.”

Headmaster at St Bede’s College, Dr Richard Robson, said: “Daniel has done exceptionally well. His ability to balance both school work and his dedication to the sport he loves is admirable.”

Daniel’s next challenge will be the Regional Championships at the beginning of February.