The Isle of Wight Ice Dance & Figure Skating Club named not one but two skaters of the month for September: Eloise Hayward and Sophia Elliott.

Both girls have a fantastic attitude to their skating and are really committed: they have helped with fundraising events, supported teammates, helped out when needed, they both skate in three IW synchro teams – Eloise is captain of Wight Sequins, encouraging the younger members, and Sophia is captain of the Wight Sparkles.

Eloise was bitterly disappointed when her competition day was cancelled at Guildford earlier this year but was a true friend and good sport when she stayed to support Arwen the following day and cheered her on. She competed in the group artistic in Gosport, claiming gold with pirates and then went on to the championships in Coventry and got a bronze. In August, Eloise took part in the Young Stars competition at Sheffield Ice Arena, it was her first ladies level 1 competition and she scored a personal best but more importantly she received a young star of the day award for her creativity, entertainment and skating with her We are the Kids of America routine, this was awarded out of 42 people. She has also passed her level 4 field moves, had a great skate at Lee Valley recently flying the flag for the IW. What really shines through with Eloise is her love of skating and her team spirit, she was suffering with a terrible ear infection last synchro season and had bouts of dizziness but was determined not to let her team mates down, often leaving training an awful green colour.

Sophia is always a pleasure to watch skating. She has been training hard, skate in three synchro teams, and trains early Saturday morning at Guildford as well. This dedication has shone through with her results this year, she skated brilliantly in Guildford earlier this year and won gold for her artistic at Gosport with her Wizard of Oz routine, which secured her a well deserved bronze at the Coventry artistic championships. Sophia recently took part in a ladies level 2 competition at Lee Valley with her Footloose routine and got a very creditable 4th out of 16 in the under 11 section with a personal best score and passing her level 3 free and elements.

Achievements aside Sophia is always trying her best and wanting to improve, she is truly a dedicated skater, she danced her way around the Isle of Wight day parade last week even though she had been up since 3am for training that day.

Well done Eloise and Sophia, you deserve it.