Daughter of former Notts County player Adrian Thorpe aiming to create a sporting legacy

However, young Rosie Thorpe hasn’t exactly followed a conventional path into sport as she chasws her dream of being a world champion weightlifter.

Her dad Adrian played more than 50 games for Notts County in the late 80s, and even made fleeting appearances for Mansfield Town.

Now Rosie (13), who trains at Atlas Gym in Alfreton, is looking to assert her own local legacy.

After winning nine golds at a national level wrestling for Derbyshire, Rosie sought pastures new and according to her mother Susan, a competitive streak has certainly been inherited.

“It’s clear that she has sport in her blood. Rosie really hates losing – a lot like her Dad - and she always wants to win, no matter what,” says Susan.

“But having said that, she’s a sensitive soul. She used to wrestle against her friends, but it upset her when she ended up hurting them!”

Her transition into weightlifting wasn’t just on compassionate grounds, though. Inspired by the exploits of fellow female weightlifter Zoe Smith at the 2012 London Olympics, Rosie prioritised the sport over wrestling.

Rosie’s long-term goal is to earn a place in the British team for the 2015 Junior Commonwealth Games in Samoa.

Rosie’s next step is to take part in an international weightlifting competition in Austria next June, to boost her chances of making it to Samoa.

The family will also be spending the coming months fundraising to help make the dream a reality.

Added Susan: “We don’t have a specific target in mind, but any surplus money we have from the event will go towards Dave Sawyer setting up a non-profit weightlifting programme.”

“We want to promote the sport as much as possible. It needs to keep a high profile because, like wrestling, it’s in danger of being omitted from the 2020 Olympics – the games we believe Rosie can compete in.”