The future is looking bright for Roan Clarke, a teenager with big Olympic dreams

What started off as a way to achieve his bronze in the Duke of Edinburgh awards by taking up a new sport quickly became a much loved passion for Macclesfield teenager Roan Clarke.

Shortly after taking up windsurfing, it was clear that 15-year-old Roan had a talent for the exhilarating sport and after only competing for three years, he was selected to train with the Royal Yachting Association and has since competed at a national level, consistently placing between first and tenth place.

'The sport has really become my passion which is why I've got such a strong determination to do well in it. It's such a fast paced sport where you have to react quickly which I love. It's intense, both physically and mentally but I enjoy every second of it. My dream is to represent the UK in the Olympics,' Roan says.

Roan's coaches have seen the talent he possesses and have encouraged him to compete internationally which he'll need to do if he hopes to achieve his dream of competing on the Olympic squad; he was even offered the opportunity to train in the RYA National Squad with the Olympic coaches. Roan has already been pre-selected to compete in both the European Windsurfing Championships in Israel and the World Windsurfing Championship in Spain. As well as working hard in school, holding an after-school job, Roan is ambitious and remains positive that his Olympic dreams will come true.

His mum, Kay Clarke is incredibly proud of her son and the journey he's embarked on. 'He has really taken to the sport and is so focused on it with an amazing passion,' she said. 'In this age of such negative influences on young people, it's so lovely to see Roan's positive outlook. He recently came second at the Eric Twiname Championships and I couldn't be prouder.'

Roan's path to the Olympic squad won't come easily and at the moment he is trying to raise money to support his dream through sponsorships and donations.

'I really want to make my mum, family and Macclesfield proud but I just a little help in getting there,' says Roan.

You can find out more about his journey and aims on his just giving page www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/roan-clarkewindsurfing