THESE SCORPIONS DON'T STING BUT THEY DO KICK-HARD!

World champion Sarah Stevenson may be absent from next month's European Championships in Manchester. (May 3-6) but Yorkshire and Doncaster will be ably represented by Stella Whitehead and Caroline Fisher.

Both girls are members of Scorpion Taekwondo and both are out to impress as Stevenson continues her rehabilitation from knee surgery.

Whitehead, 21, from Doncaster contested the 2010 Euros in St Petersburg and reached the quarter-finals.

Barnsley based Fisher, 29, picked up a silver medal in Rome two years earlier.

"Sarah is amazing," says Whitehead. "Hopefully, one day I can achieve some of the things she has."

Whitehead will compete in the -73kg weight division at the Regional Arena; Fisher at -53kg.

"I have got more experience than I had at the last Europeans," says the younger of the two White Rose hopefuls.

"I still got to the quarters and now I am a bit older hopefully I can go further.

"If I perform well I am capable of getting a medal, hopefully gold."

Whitehead missed out on podium places at the recent German and Dutch Opens. However, it took a world champion in Hamburg and the eventual gold medallist in Eindhoven to end her campaigns.

Delighted Fisher added: "I'm really pleased to be selected again.

"And it's good for friends and family the Championships are in Manchester. It means they don't have to travel abroad.

"I am sure there will be good following from Scorpions for me and Stella.

"I am in a tough weight category but aren't they all?. Hopefully, I will be best on the day."

Both girls recently attended squad training sessions at GB Taekwondo's home in Manchester.

And Fisher is determined to make the most of her sporting career.

"I work for Leeds City Council but I've just taken a year out," she revealed.

"They have been fantastic with me and I can't thank them enough for giving me this opportunity to be the best I can be."

*Tickets are now on sale for the 2012 European Championships at Sportcity, Manchester. Priced at £11 adult, £6 children (under 16), £28 for family ticket (2 adults and 2 children), they can be booked via 0844 844 0444 or from www.ticketmaster.co.uk