Balfron rower's Olympic bid
BALFRON rower Rosie Young has been fast-tracked as a future British Olympian after being handpicked to join the Bank of Scotland Local Heroes initiative.
The 19-year-old former Balfron High School pupil will receive a cash injection of 1,000 towards training and competing and is one of only 32 youngsters selected from across Scotland.
Rosie attended the launch of the scheme at Glasgow Caledonian University, where she was given a masterclass by world silver and European gold medal-winning gymnast Daniel Keatings on sports psychology and media training.
And the rower – who is in the first year of a Sports Engineering degree at Strathclyde University – admitted her new-found support couldn't be better timed as she aims to build on her efforts as a junior.
Rosie — who was part of Great Britain's gold-medal winning four and eight boats at last year's Coupe de la Jeunesse in France — said: "This season in my first year as an under-23 and my most important aim is establishing myself in that age group.
"I've been in the British junior team for the past three years but I think Scotland selection is more realistic this year so I'm hoping to get an under-23 spot for the Home Countries Regatta.
"I received a bit of money from Scottish Rowing but that really didn't last long because it's so expensive going down to the south of England.
"So the scheme will be really help with travelling and making repairs to my boat which is three years old now. It's also a really nice recognition that I'm doing things right."
In partnership with SportsAid, the Bank of Scotland, as part of Lloyds Banking, the Local Heroes initiative is designed to ensure more talent reaches the top of their sport.
In total, 276 talented youngsters are part of the scheme, with 244 Lloyds TSB Local Heroes in England and Wales also receiving funding towards training and competing.
And Scottish gymnast Keatings, who made his Olympic debut in Beijing in 2008, believes Rosie's inclusion on the scheme will play a major role in her reaching the top of her sport.
He said: "It's very important for Rosie, not just financially, but it sets her up for what's going to happen when she gets to the highest level and it teaches her how to deal with the added pressures of getting there.
"I remember back when I wasn't on funding I had a grant from SportsAid. At the time my mum and dad had to help me out big time financially and it took the pressure off them because they didn't have to pay all the expenses any more.
"Some of these guys might not have been really recognised yet and now SportsAid and Bank of Scotland approaching them will have finally given them the recognition that they deserve."
Bank of Scotland Local Heroes is an initiative in partnership with SportsAid providing support and funding to 32 of Scotland's most talented developing athletes on their journey to London 2012 and beyond.
To find out more on the initiative log on to www.bankofscotland.co.uk/sponsorship.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Milngavie
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
