Local Heroes

Lloyds TSB Sporting Heroes

Sport Nottingham are supportive of these sporting champions, but they are also supportive of the thousands of other hopefuls struggling, trying to get to the same place, known as Lloyds TSB Local Heros.
Lloyds TSB Local Heroes has been set up to help more of those young hopefuls - when they need it most.

In the words of Jonathan Edwards, Olympic gold medallist, World Record Holder and Lloyds TSB 2012 Ambassador: 'Being an athlete can be a lonely life and you frequently face times of self-doubt.  For someone to come in at this stage can make the difference between continuing with your dream or giving up.'

So, each year until 2012, with the help of SportsAid, Lloyds TSB will be helping to keep the dream alive for 250 young and emerging sportspeople.  
 
Please visit Lloyds TSB website for more information.
 
Meet some of Nottingham's local heroes below:
 
· Blue Haywood
Age: 16
Sport: Athletics - Middle/Long distance
County: Nottinghamshire, Newark.

She first got involved in sport when her brother was training for the marathon: "I went out with him one evening and found I could keep running without really getting tired."
For Blue, the best part of being a sportswoman in achieving goals and "the amazing hit you get when you win a race, being and feeling free whilst you're running." The social side also helps as she gets to meet new people with similar interests.
Her biggest sporting achievement to date is getting a British U18 record for the 5km on the road in December 20007.
Blue misses home when she is away training and competing for that Olympic medal, and is proud to be British.
"Standing on a podium in France last year where we won the team gold at the European Fell Championships, the British flag was raised and the national anthem was played, and I was very proud to be British."
 
 
 · George Caines
Age: 18
Sport: Rowing
County: Nottinghamshire
George first got involved in sport after he was introduced to a rowing machine.   This prompted him to find places to row in Nottingham on the water.
George does around 120 -130km of rowing mixture of ergo and water sessions a week but most of it is on water.  He does five weight sessions a fortnight and cycles to and from training - a 12.5 mile round trip six days a week.
His biggest supporter is his mum, "I wouldn't be where I am today without her," he says.
 
· Luke Bambridge
Age: 13
Sport: Tennis
County: Nottinghamshire

The best part about being in sport for Luke, is wining,
"I enjoy doing something I love, travelling and meeting people, but most of all I enjoy winning."
Luke's biggest sporting achievements to date is being the National Doubles Champion in 2006 & 2007 and also representing Great Britain at Under 10, 12 and 14.
Luke aspires to win Wimbledon because he see is as "the greatest tournament in the world and I would love to be the first Briton to win it since Fred Perry." His biggest sporting hero is Roger Federer, and one of his dreams is to beat Federer's record!
 
 
 · Sasha Matthews
Age: 17
Sport: Swimming - Racing
County: Nottinghamshire
Started swimming competitively after joining her local club in Arnold, 'Arnold Swimming Club' where her first coach Bill Hopkins spotter her talent.  Sasha's biggest sporting achievement was "getting a gold, silver and bronze in the European Championships."
Her coach and her parents are her biggest supporters and will be there by her side all the way.