GYMNAST Rosalie Hutton has defied doctors and is on standby to compete in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.The brave 14-year-old, in line to represent Scotland in Melbourne, Australia, was told last year her career could be over.

GYMNAST Rosalie Hutton has defied doctors and is on standby to compete in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

The brave 14-year-old, in line to represent Scotland in Melbourne, Australia, was told last year her career could be over.

But she astounded medics by not only continuing to compete in her chosen sport but to excel and reach for the top.

Although she was born in King's Lynn, Rosalie, a member of the successful Pipers Vale Gymnastics Club in Ipswich, will represent Scotland through her father Robert, who hails from Cromarty, near Inverness.

Rosalie is one of ten gymnasts in a provisional squad from which the Scots will select six for the trip Down Under. She said: “It is fantastic.

“I have a big grin on my face. I did not expect to go to the Common-wealth Games and I did not even think about it.”

Rosalie gained a hip injury while training in January 2003 that threatened to rule her out of the sport.

Coach Andy Wood said: “We were told if she did not stop gymnastics she would become disabled.

“She couldn't do anything for three months. If she had walked on it there was a chance of being disabled.

“It was touch and go if she could continue, but she's come back hungrier.

“Luckily she's made a full recovery and is now going from strength to strength.

“She had ten months out which was a real shame.

“Rosalie has had a lot to put up with and this opportunity is absolutely well deserved.

“She works so hard and wants to be successful. If anyone deserves it then Rosalie does.”

After her injury, she returned to action in October 2003 and has established herself as one of Britain's finest young gymnasts.

She became the first Suffolk-based competitor to appear in the European Junior Championships in May and gained a bronze medal in the junior British Championships last month.

To qualify for the Commonwealth Games she has to score 32 points at a national event next year but that should not be a problem as her personal best is 35.1.

Wood added: “It is unbelievable. I never dreamt she would be selected at such an early stage.

“She has a very strong chance of making the squad and out of the ten she is the strongest member.”

Rosalie, who lives near King's Lynn, has been a member of the Pipers Vale club since she was 11 and spends six days a week training in Ipswich.