SkillsActive is proud to announce that over 30 AASE apprentices (both current and alumni) have been selected to represent Team GB in the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games across; swimming, diving, water polo, synchronised swimming and taekwondo, table tennis, tennis and athletics.
Aaron McKibbin, Paralympic table tennis player said,
"It's a great feeling being selected as this is what I've been working towards for over two years of my life. Now I'm just focused on training hard and being as well prepared as I can, before I go into the Games giving my best effort."
Rebecca Adlington, Jemma Lowe, Lauren Steadman, Louise Watkin and Matt Whornwood (Swimming), Tom Daley (Diving), Sarah Stevenson (Taekwondo), Jenna Randall and Olivia Federici (Synchronised Swimming) and David Phillipson (Tennis) will be competing at their second Games this summer, whilst the other athletes will be experiencing the Olympics for the first time. Jessica Lloyd, aged 17 will be one of the youngest swimmer’s in the team this year.
Andrew Willis 200m breaststroke swimmer who completed the AASE programme in 2009 said;
"The AASE programme taught to me to become an all-rounded athlete. Combining the sport with education has been perfect for me and in the lead up to 2012 I have been able to use the information I learnt about nutrition and physiology to help me prepare as best as possible."
AASE Programme Manager from SkillsActive said, Jemma Turner says:
“We’re thrilled that AASE has helped prepare these apprentices for the world stage. This achievement is a real testament to the quality of the AASE programme and the work of the National Governing Bodies of these sports. We wish them all of the apprentices the best of luck this summer.”
The Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE), a government- funded programme, provides a structured training and development route across a number of sports for young, talented athletes (aged 16-19) who have a real chance of excelling in their sport. Created by SkillsActive, the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure, Learning and Well-being and funded by the Skills Funding Agency, this sports performance apprenticeship is offered to 3,000 athletes annually in over 25 sports. To be eligible for the apprenticeship, athletes have to have proven ability and/or the potential to play at the highest level in your sport, determined in collaboration with the National Governing Body of each sport.
The programme reflects the range of skills, knowledge and performance criteria required in elite level sport. It also gives athletes the skills, knowledge and qualifications to pursue a secondary career should they fall short of their ultimate goal.
Ian Taylor, Chief Executive at Skills Active said,
"The AASE programme provides a clear framework to help apprentices develop their skills and build on their knowledge to become an elite athlete. As well as measuring development in their sport, AASE looks at wider issues such as lifestyle, career paths, media communication, mental skills and attitudes."
SkillsActive would like to wish all athletes the best of luck to all AASE athletes representing TeamGB.
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Picture by SWpix.com