European youth medallists Holly Mills, Isabelle Boffey and Anna Burt are among the 25 track and field athletes to have been announced on the England team for the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas.
A total of 72 athletes aged between 14-18 have been selected to represent England in athletics, swimming, rugby 7s, beach volleyball, judo, boxing and tennis at the event which takes place from July 19-23.
“We are very excited as we anticipate a very successful Commonwealth Youth Games,” said athletics team leader, Scott Grace. “We are taking a team that has the potential to produce some very impressive performances and we are now working with them and their coaches to ensure the best possible performance.
“On the team there are young athletes who have already enjoyed success in international championships. We have the gold and silver medallists from the European Youth Championships in Isabelle Boffey and Anna Burt, as well as the long jump champion Holly Mills.
“But the team staff are also very impressed by athletes who have made great progressions this year to earn selection. It’ a privilege to be able to give them the opportunity to compete at this level. Having seen how athletes who have competed at previous Games have performed and then gone on to impress at senior level
“We are sure we will be made very welcome by the people of the Bahamas and look forward to being a part of a memorable Games.”
The athletics events will be held from July 20-23.
Sarah Winckless, Chef de Mission for Commonwealth Games England, said: “I’m delighted that we will be taking such a talented group of young athletes to the Commonwealth Youth Games. For many this will be their first experience of a multi-sport Games environment and a key milestone on their pathway.
“These young athletes represent the pride of England and I know everyone back home will be wishing them all the best for the competition.
“This is the largest team we’ve sent overseas to a Commonwealth Youth Games and for the team behind the team the Commonwealth Youth Games represents an important staging post on the road to the Gold Coast next year.”
The last edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games was in Samoa in 2015, when England came third in the medal table overall behind South Africa and Australia.
England Team for the Commonwealth Youth Games:
Men
200m: Chad Miller
800m: Joshua Allen, Alex Botterill
1500m: Luke Duffy, Joshua Lay
110m hurdles: Jack Sumners, Sam Bennett
400m hurdles: Seamus Derbyshire, Joshua Faulds
Javelin: Don Baker
Women
100m: Vera Chinedu
200m: Georgina Adam, Amber Anning
400m: Emma Alderson
800m: Isabelle Boffey, Anna Burt
1500m: Olivia Mason, Anna Smith
3000m: Claudia Lance-Jones
100m hurdles: Pippa Earley
Long jump: Holly Mills, Lucy Hadaway
Shot put: Gaia Osborne, Serena Vincent
Javelin: Emma Howe
Source: AW
