SportsAid

Hollie Arnold

Alex Fraser

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Alex is a compound archer who was second at the National Championships in Lilleshall in December. He is ranked 6th in the U18 GB rankings and will be looking to shoot above his age group in National and Premier events at Junior and Senior level. In the future Alex hopes to represent his country and Great Britain at Senior level.

Being a Lloyds TSB Local Hero is amazing it has helped me get the best equipment so I can keep going up in levels of training so I can become as good as I can be.Alex Fraser

Amber ONeil

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Amber has had a great season this year, having come 2nd at Redenham Park two day event in a class of adults, follwed by a 1st at Headley One Day Event, again in a class of adults. In aid of raising awareness of Junior Driving the British Young Drivers which Amber is a part of, did a demo at the South of England Carriage Driving Fair with gymkhana games designed to entertain. Amber also went off to the BHDTA Junior Summer Camp which proved to be informative and educational, this was followed directly by The Cross Channel Cup hosted this year by England. She won an individual 2nd in the Derby, individual joint 1st in the Cones and individual silver overall. Amber also made the English B Team which won the team silver of which she was very proud.

Amber in August 09 decided to spend her awards money on competing in the OUtdoor season which before would have not been possible. The money was spent on the competition entries and travel expenses.

"Looking further into the future I plan to compete both ponies in the Indoor Season, hopefully qualifying with Fortune Teller for the Indoor National Finals which along with the Junior National Championships and The Cross Channel Cup are qualifying events for the England Team going to Hungary in 2010 which is of course my ultimate aim."Amber ONeil

Anna Gill

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Since forming a partnership with her new horse, 'Tribal Indian', this young Para-Rider has demonstrated a great deal of promise in the equestrian world.

Anna had a successful 2007 with two placings at the RDA National Championships where she was 6th in the Junior section and 1st in the Junior Freestyle section. Anna also rode internationally and gained two 3rd places in the Junior International Grade III in Millfield. She remains focused on reaching the London Paralympics in 2012. In the meantime, her goal is to secure a regular place in the Team GB Start Potential Squad. We very much hope that the SportsAid intervention will help her towards achieving this.Sarah Armstrong, British Equestrian World Class Programme Project Manager.

Bethan Latham

Athlete page

Key achievements

•2009 British Open International Champion
•2009 European Junior Championships – J18 Team Silver
•2009 GB J18 Team member
•2009 GB J16 Champion
•Ranked 6th in the GB Open age Premier division at the end of the 2009 season
•2008 Junior European Championships- J18 Team Bronze
•2008 World Championships, J18 -semifinal
•2008 Czech International, J18 - 3rd
•2008 Slovenia International, J18 - 5th

Aims

• Finish in the five in the Premier division in 2010
• Top 10 in the J18 European and World Championships in 2010
• Medalist in the European Junior Championships in 2011
• Top 3 at the 2012 GB Olympics selection race series

Bethan is the current British Open Champion and is ranked 6th in GB at just 16 years of age. She became a European silver medalist at this years U18 European Championships in the women’s team event held in Liptovský Mikuláš in Slovakia.

Now in her second year as a GB athlete she is consistently the youngest team member. In 2008 she became the youngest person ever to represent Great Britain in this demanding sport at international level.

A tough regime has Beth training every night either on the water near her home in Keighley, at the National Water Sports Centre, Nottingham, or in the gym. Her school is supporting her efforts by allowing her to train in Nottingham every Tuesday.

Speaking of her spot on the SportsAid 16 for 2016 list she said: “I am delighted to be nominated as a SportsAid 16 athlete and it is a privilege to represent the next generation of potential Olympians. Although I fully intend to target 2012, 2016 is a more realistic target. SportsAid is my only funding source and is key to being able to compete at European and World level in the lead up to the 2016 Olympics. Selection results permitting, I hope to race in the World Junior Championships in France and the European Junior Finals in Germany in the summer of 2010.”