Inspired by Team GB's outstanding success at this summer's London Olympic Games, this group of young athletes will be aiming to use the AYOF experience as a springboard in their development towards fulfilling their aspirations of representing Team GB at future Olympic Games.
Team GB's basketball players will compete in the 3v3 format of the game, which proved to be very popular at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.
British Basketball's Head of Performance, Warwick Cann commented: "This is a great opportunity for the next generation of GB basketball players as we look towards 2016 and beyond. The invitation from the BOA is a wonderful chance for our young players to join the broader Olympic family and showcase their skills and abilities in Sydney.
"The 3v3 version of the game is becoming a worldwide sensation and FIBA has put forward a proposal for its inclusion in future Olympic Games so this is a great opportunity for the next generation to play this format."
The Team GB delegation of 186, including coaches and support staff, will be led by Chef de Mission Mark England. The BOA Director of Games Services brings with him experience from six Olympic Games as Deputy Chef de Mission, and the 2013 AYOF will be the 12th time he has led Team GB at a Youth Olympic event.
Team GB has participated very successfully at the last two AYOFs, held in 2007 and in 2009 when they claimed 26 gold, 16 silver and 26 bronze medals - 68 in total. Previous AYOFs have provided an important stepping stone for many of Team GB's successful London 2012 Olympians. From the two previous visits to the AYOF a total of 35 athletes from 12 sport disciplines have graduated to become Olympians, and they have won 17 Olympic medals to date. The AYOF Team GB alumni include the likes of London 2012 medallists Louis Smith (gymnastics), Tom Daley (diving), Katherine Copeland (rowing) and Jonathan Brownlee (triathlon).
As part of its commitment to develop and nurture future British Olympic talent for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and beyond, the British Olympic Association will be taking Team GB delegations to seven Youth Olympic events over the next four years, beginning with the 2013 AYOF.
For the full list of Basketball players attending the AYOF please see below:
|
Name |
Town (Lives) |
Home Nation |
Age |
|
Gregor Gray |
North Berwick |
Scotland |
16 |
|
Rhianna-Mae Laing |
Bradford |
England |
15 |
|
Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye |
Bristol |
England |
16 |
|
Shanice Norton |
London |
England |
15 |
|
Joshua Steel |
Harlow |
England |
15 |
|
Rebecca Taylor |
Bromsgrove |
England |
15 |
|
Savannah Wilkinson |
London |
England |
14 |
|
Malcolm Winning |
Edinburgh |
Scotland |
16 |
