SWINDON gymnasts Stephani Sherlock and Laura Halford have their eyes set on making an impression on the national squad in Stoke-on-Trent today.

The duo will compete in the Great Britain squad re-selection event and, after a good showing in the rhythmic gymnastics world championship in September, Moscow-born Sherlock is looking forward to another year competing on the biggest stages.

“This will decide the squad rankings for the next year and coming on top will give me a chance to compete internationally in 2016,” she said. “I will be getting two new routines and I am really looking forward to it.”

The 19-year-old goes into the competition on the back of a good world championship display, having beaten Esprit stablemate Halford.

Sherlock finished in 65th position overall in only her second world championship event and despite the pair not doing enough to qualify their country for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro next year the teenager was happy with her showing.

“My aim was to feel confident and to perform strong and clean,” she added."I am very pleased with how I did, although my routines could have been even cleaner, which shows I am capable of achieving better results in the future.

“I felt comfortable and in the right place when competing at the world class event.

“Competing in Stuttgart really made me appreciate how far I came and also gave me desire to see how far I can go.”

Having competed alongside Halford, Sherlock thinks that the friendly competition between the pair can only be a good thing for their future success.

“This year there were two of us - Laura and I - representing Great Britain together with our coach Deb Hows, all from Esprit,” she said.

“It wasn’t my first time competing at a big event together with Laura, and I think it is very good for both of us as we are pushing each other to grow and to do our absolute best.

“At the same time as being rivals, we are good friends too and we have lots of fun together.

“I try to support and help Laura, and she does too.”