Cutting It
Michael Duffield a twelve year old Billingham boy was spotted at Billingham Forum Ice Arena by resident ice skating professional Mildred Atherley on his first ever visit to an ice rink three years ago, has now caught the eye of top Russian coach Yuri Bureiko.
Michael is a pupil at Northfield School and who trains on average 20 hours per week has had a meteoric rise in the world of figure skating.
Michael recently travelled to the United States of America where a series of skating lessons were arranged with Rashid Kadyrkaev the coach of the current men’s World and Olympic figure skating champion Evengi Plushenko. He was so impressed with Michael he contacted Yuri Bureiko, head coach at Coventry International Ice Skating Academy. Bureiko arranged to watch Michael skate and immediately accepted Michael into the Academy.
Michael said, “I am really excited to be working with Yuri and I am training hard at the Billingham Forum Ice Arena and I will be travelling to Coventry several times per week to be coached by Yuri”
Michael’s proud mother Fran is delighted with Michael’s skating success and said “Michael’s success is fantastic and we are looking forward to him competing at the British Championships with a view to entering the Europeans in 2007”
Michael’s success has put a substantial strain on family finances and Fran said “Skating is an extremely expensive sport with large costs associated with coaching and travelling fees. Therefore we are looking for any kind of sponsorship not matter how large or small from local businesses and organisations to help Michael realise his full potential”
If you are interested in sponsoring Michael, please contact Tees Active Sports Academy Manager, Allan McDermott on (01642) 528772