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Warrington-born Zoe Allen was the 2002 British 11-year-old champion, having topped the rankings at level 2 voluntaries and placed 2nd in compulsories earlier that year. Zoe started gymnastics at her hometown club when she was 7. A natural talent, she came 5th in the country at levels 4 and 3 before following her then coach Zoe Knowles to nearby City of Liverpool GC in early 2002 when Warrington formed an alliance with the star-studded Park Road programme. After a successful year at Liverpool, Zoe switched clubs again at the start of 2003, moving to another top-rated North West gym - Wigan GC, based at the town's prestigious Robin Park sports complex. 2003 was a transitional year for Zoe. She placed 15th all-around at the Espoir British Championships and remains a great prospect for the future.
Born August 23rd 1991, Zoe is in the national squad, receiving funding through the World Class programme. She trains around 25 hours a week at Robin Park, where she enjoys working with coach Mike Lea. Zoe's least favourite piece is beam, and while she likes all the others, she is at her best on bars. Her idol is Wigan teammate Cherelle Fennell, a key member of Great Britain's Worlds team and Olympic squad. Zoe's ambition is to represent her country.
Outside of gymnastics, Zoe is a student at Warrington's Culcheth High School, where her best subject is PE, and her worst is Art. In her free time she enjoys computers and "playing with my friends". Zoe has three brothers who are involved in football and rugby. She likes Adam Sandler and chicken nuggets, and lists The Black Eyed Peas as her favourite music act. Zoe's favourite TV show is The Royle Family and her favourite movie is Big Daddy. Her dislikes include mushy peas and singer Will Young! Once she has hung up her handguards, Zoe says she would like to become to be a gym coach.
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