BURY College pupil Jamie Baker insists his London 2012 Olympic volleyball dream is well and truly on course after being invited back onto the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes initiative.
Last year, the 18-year-old was one of just 250 youngsters across the UK fast-tracked as a future British Olympian and given £1,000 for travel, equipment and competition expenses.
With the scheme in its second year, Baker was handpicked again and given a fresh cash injection to cover the costs of travelling to-and-from his club in Sheffield.
And Baker — who is coached by England Junior men’s coach Keith Trenam in Sheffield — admitted the support from the scheme could not be better timed as he counts down the days to London 2012. “It is a really good feeling to be in my second year on the scheme and it further hits home that people are recognising me for what I am doing,” said Baker.
“The scheme helped so much last year in terms of equipment and other costs and, more importantly, it made me feel good about myself.
“I am doing more training and travelling to Sheffield — where I play — because of the increased funding I am getting better as a result.
“I travel to Sheffield two or three times a week — in my opinion it is the best place for me to develop and grow and I am more than happy to do it.”
British volleyball was dealt a body blow at the turn of the year when UK Sport announced that it would be slashing its funding by 53 percent. Team GB are guaranteed a berth at the London 2012 Olympics provided they can build a competitive side — but Baker is in no doubt Britain will deliver on their word in three years time.
“I have been part of the British under-18s and under-19s squads at a young age and, naturally, I want to be in the full team,” he added.
“I am playing more and more now and the scheme has given me great motivation to try and make the GB senior squad in time for 2012.
Lloyds TSB is providing £1,000 to more than 270 emerging young sportspeople identified each year across Britain, in the run-up to London 2012 and beyond. Visit Lloydstsb.com/Localheroes
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