Hannah Hopkins

14 year old Hannah has the life-threatening disease Cystic Fibrosis (CF) but never complains and does not let it stand in the way of her many sporting activities which help her keeping her CF symptoms under control. Hannah has been playing football since she was seven. She joined a mixed soccer school in Banbridge on Saturday mornings and at the age of 10 was recommended by a coach to try out for Banbridge ladies. She played for the junior football team which she captained for three years before moving up to the seniors this year (Seniors are 14 to adult). As well as playing for the seniors team she continues to play matches for the juniors, still being eligible at 14. As a junior she was selected for the IFA County Armagh development squad whom she trained/played with for three years. Hannah also enjoys hockey, having played since age 9. She currently plays for her school team, Banbridge Academy and also for the Banbridge Town under 15 'A' performance team. Last year her team was selected to represent Down in an inter county tournament in Dublin which they won and this year they won the Ulster Trophy. Hannah also takes part in fundraising events for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and has helped her family organise numerous bag packing days at local supermarkets, has taken part in fun runs and has recently supported her auntie in an abseil from Belfast's EUROPA Hotel. Hannah would make a great ambassador carrying the Olympic Torch in Northern Ireland.