Press Release

Britain's young elite ready for commonwealth challenge

25th September 2008

A 15-strong squad of Britain’s next generation of elite swimmers are ready to take on the best young swimmers from around the Commonwealth at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India.

The event, which takes place from the 12th – 18th October, will see 71 countries battling for honours across the nine sports.

The British team features World short course bronze medallist Jess Dickons (Stockton), former European Junior Champion Natalie Durant (Ealing) and European Championship squad member Rachel George (Hatfield).

Head Coach Nick Juba explains the benefits of competing at the Games and the importance of overcoming threats from the likes of Australia.

“This is the third time we have competed at the Commonwealth Youth Games and I think that the competition offers a great opportunity for youngsters that have not had the chance to compete internationally before,” Juba said.

“The girls we have in the squad are quite strong and some of them like Jessica Dickons have had international experience but most of the boys are competing for the first time internationally. The team is an unusual blend but I think it will work well.

“Our biggest competition will come from Australia, Canada and Scotland. Australia are very strong at youth level and Canada really stood up to be counted at the Olympics and the recent tri-nations and they are emerging as a strong swimming nation. Scotland have promising male swimmers that should challenge us too.”

This year’s Games will see the British contingent living for the first time in an athlete village environment and with a total of 1,300 athletes competing this will be the biggest assembly of under-18 sporting talent at an international sporting event.

“The Commonwealth Games in Delhi are coming up and most of the girls on this squad should make it onto that team and any multi-sport experience they can get before then is vital. In a few weeks they will be in a village environment and will mix with all of the other sports and this can only be beneficial for the athlete’s future development.”