AN ICE HOCKEY ace from Twyford is preparing represent Team GB at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer.
Verity Lewis is one of the 16 athletes selected to represent her country at the competition, which takes place in Norway next month.
The 16-year-old is part of Bracknell Ice Hockey Club, where she plays for the Bracknell Queen Bees Under-16s, and will compete for GB in the ice hockey skills challenge.
Lewis booked her place in the squad after qualifying out of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Global Skills Challenge held last year, which was confirmed by the British Olympic Association (BOA) this morning.
“I’ve been working towards this moment for a long time and to finally know that I am going to be part of Team GB for the Youth Olympic Games is a dream come true,” said Verity.
“It’s so exciting to think we’re only two weeks away from flying out there.
“The skills challenge is a tough event but preparations have been going really well and I’ll be looking to do the best that I can in Lillehammer next month.”
The delegation will feature in seven of the 15 disciplines which make up the sporting programme: alpine skiing, bobsleigh, curling, freestyle skiing, the ice hockey skills challenge, luge and skeleton.
Lillehammer 2016 is the fourth-ever edition of the Youth Olympic Games, which started in Singapore back in 2010.
It will be the second winter games following the inaugural competition which Innsbruck hosted in 2012.
Adam Pengilly, Team GB’s Chef de Mission, said: “It’s really exciting to announce the team and in just a few days time we’ll be gathering together to kit the team out and assemble for the first time before flying out to Norway.
“This will no doubt be the pinnacle of these athletes’ careers so far and we want the Youth Olympic Games to be part of a journey to help with their development both as competitiors, but also as people.
“Lillehammer will be about them gaining the experience of being part of an Olympic environment as well as delivering the best possible performance that they can.
“We’ve got a great mix of sports and we’re represented in seven of the 15 disciplines, with quite a small delegation.
“I’m sure we’re going to see some exciting things from these young athletes in Norway and beyond.”
