Drummer girl to lead dragon team to Rome

The best Dragon Boat racers in the country are heading to the European Championships with their latest team member '” an 11-year-old girl from Bedfordshire.
Izzy Birtles drums for her Dragon Boat team PNL-160628-095426001Izzy Birtles drums for her Dragon Boat team PNL-160628-095426001
Izzy Birtles drums for her Dragon Boat team PNL-160628-095426001

Young Izzy Gallon, from Wixams, trains with the Cambridgeshire Royals Dragon Boat Club in St Neots.

During a Team GB training session there, she caught the eye of Premier Squad Manager Tim Smith who asked her to drum for the national side at the July competition, in Rome.

Tim said: “The energy and enthusiasm Izzy puts into the role is just what we need. Her most noticeable qualities are her drive, enthusiasm and the clarity of her calls.

“Often the best drummers are youngsters. You may say ‘give a child a drum and ask them to shout’ is all you need, but the role of the drummer is crucial and we need the right individual to understand the race, read situations, motivate the team and bring out their best when under pressure.”

Izzy, who attends Alameda Middle School in Ampthill, has been drumming for her club for a couple of years.

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