A SHAW youngster will be flying the flag for Oldham at the Greater Manchester Sports Awards next month.
Mary Shaw, aged nine, is already a winner having taken the title of Disabled Sports Achiever of the Year at the Oldham Sports Awards.
The St Joseph’s School pupil now faces competition from nine other borough winners at the Greater Manchester awards on Friday, November 16 at the Point, Emirates Old Trafford.
Mary has a condition called achondroplasia, also known as dwarfism, but hasn’t let the issue hold her back.
Indeed, she has a goal to represent Team GB at the Dwarf World Games in 2021.
However, Mary’s trophy cabinet is already starting to fill up.
Last year she attended the Dwarf Boccia and Badminton Nationals returning with three silver medals.
Earlier this year Mary attended the 25th Dwarf National Games and stepped up from throwing a cricket ball and frisbee to taking part in shot putt, discus and javelin.
Despite being the youngest and smallest of the 12 competitors, talented Mary collected three bronze medals in discus, javelin and new age curling.
Mum Jenny said: “Mary never lets her height and restraints hold her back from having a go.
“Her never-say-never approach and her sheer determination to win.
“She takes part in all normal school activities and just adapts to the best of her ability.
“Her hard work, her dedication, her enjoyment and skill at the disciplines she excels at while achieving this at such a young age on a national platform.”
Mary trains in Oldham but also in Liverpool where there are dedicated coaches specialising in disabled sports and with dwarf athletes.