A SUPER snowboarder who also has a passion for music has every right to blow his own trumpet — after being selected to train with top GB coaches.

Multi-talented Kieran Henderson, 15, started skiing when he was four and took up snowboarding when he was eight.

He is also a member of Inverclyde Athletics and is an accomplished sprinter, long jumper and high jumper and studies at the Junior Royal Conservatoire of Scotland — where he plays the trumpet, piano and drums.

Kieran, who lives in Port Glasgow, trains at Bellahouston Glasgow Ski and Snowboard centre and is delighted to have been called up by his country.

He said: “I’ve been accepted into the Home Nations Academy which means I will train with the GB Olympic Squad coaches.

“The coaches will come up from Manchester in December and they have also been emailing me coaching and healthy eating tips.

“I have a chance of going out to Austria in the summer with the coaches.”
This could be Kieran’s first step on the road to future Olympic success, as the home nations squad acts as a springboard for Team GB.

Kieran lives with mum Michelle, 45, and dad Alan, 49, in Bardrainney Avenue and has an older brother Michael, 25.

Michelle, an administrative assistant with the council, said: “He was over the moon to be chosen.

“I get a bit nervous when I watch him snowboarding. He’s a bit of a daredevil.

“He likes the freestyling and tricks off the high jumps — I went to watch him a couple of weeks ago and I had to shut my eyes at times.”

Kieran’s talents also extend to music and the St Stephen’s High School pupil is in his fourth year at the Conservatoire and also performs with Brass Sounds Inverclyde.

He was part of the group who recently played at the top of Ben Nevis and is also competing with them in the British Brass Band Championships in Cheltenham tomorrow.

Michelle, an administrative assistant with Inverclyde Council, said: “He enjoys both his music and sport, it’s a great position to be in.

“We’re very proud of him, he’s achieved so much and he’s only 15.

“He’s ambitious but he’s also very modest.”

Kieran wants to thank Jim and Sylvia MacLeod, Conservatoire staff and tutors and Bellahouston staff — especially his tutor Robbie Binnen and family and friends for all their support.