Fifty-nine of England’s most promising young athletes are set to head for the Caribbean in early August as the Commonwealth Youth Games returns.
Trinbago 2023 will see more than 1,000 young athletes aged between 14 and 18 from nations and territories across the Commonwealth compete across seven sports, in which Team England will be represented in four – athletics/para athletics, beach volleyball, netball and swimming.
Para athletics is making its debut on the event programme at an event first staged in Edinburgh in 2000, with this the seventh edition.
Household names such as Jess Ennis-Hill, Dina Asher-Smith and Tom Dean have used previous competitions as a launchpad for senior success on the international stage and the class of 2023 are excited to show what they can do.
New kids on the court 🏐@amaagbeze tells our latest netball athletes all about what it means to represent #TeamEngland.@EnglandNetball #bringithome #Trinbago2023 pic.twitter.com/IbXiLFvk7q
— Team England (@TeamEngland) July 4, 2023
Beach volleyball ace Daisy Boardman, 16, said: “I honestly didn’t think I would be selected for something as big as this.
“When you get given that kit, no matter how many times you do it, you still get a rush for representing your country and you always get that adrenaline boost every time.
“I really look forward to those moments and the atmosphere that is created, especially being part of the pairs team.”
Athlete Phoebe Gill, who will compete in the 800m, added: "I am really happy to get the opportunity to go abroad with the team and experience what it is like.
"Because it is my first international event, I just really want to be able to enjoy the experience and try not to get too nervous.
Introducing your para-athletics team for the 2023 Trinbago Commonwealth Youth Games!
— Team England (@TeamEngland) July 4, 2023
Take it away @HanCockroft 👏@EnglandAthletic #TeamEngland #bringithome #Trinbago2023 pic.twitter.com/mP546CdhIN
"I would love to medal but I am focussing on just having fun in the race and soaking up what it would be like to run abroad and against people from different countries."
Izzi Phillips is part of the London Pulse academy and will be part of the netball squad in the Fast5 competition.
"I can’t wait, I am still in disbelief that am going,” she said.
“I don’t think it has fully sunk in yet. Not only as a team can we display all of our hard work and show that to people but away from the court, this is our first big multi-sport competition.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting people from other sports and other countries, all being around each other and embracing different cultures.”
Part of the Pride 🦁@Aliciamwilson1 has a message for all our swimmers ready to make a splash for #TeamEngland@Swim_England #bringithome #Trinbago2023 pic.twitter.com/erYB75W1HV
— Team England (@TeamEngland) July 4, 2023
The full squads are as follows:
Athletics: Mabel Oluwayemisi Akande, Jess Bailey, Alexander Beck, Lyla Belshaw, Alice Bennett, Thea Brown, Stanley Chevous, Phoebe Gill, Ethan Glyde, Noah Hanson, Charlotte Henrich, Ayesha Jones, Annie Mann, Eliza Nicholson, Ebuka Nwokeji, Stephanie Okoro, Oliver Parker, Brandon Pye, William Rabjohns, Tom Rutter, Rusciano Thomas-Riley, D’Mitri Varlack, Miles Waterworth, Harriet Wheeler, Bella Wilson, Teddy Wilson, Samuel Wright
Para Athletics: Rosie Porter, Bibi Jackson, Maddie Down, Vincent Forkner
Beach Volleyball: Daisy Boardman, Alice Jagielska, Rob Morgan, Peter Soczewka
Netball: Sophie Egbaran, Darcie Everitt, Tori Fisher, Izzy Kaye, Emily Pawlett, Regan Peters, Isabella Phillips, Eleanor Sadler, Anya Williams, Ella Williams
Swimming: Ashleigh Baillie, Oscar Bilbao, Hannah Bowley, Skye Carter, Evie Dilley, Nick Finch, Reece Grady, Adam Graham, Blythe Kinsman, Erin Little, Edward Marcal Whittles, Sienna Robinson, Reuben Rowbotham-Keating
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