Rising Star heptathlete Caryl Granville was able to take on Jessica’s wealth of knowledge in the hope of one day following in her footsteps. This insight is invaluable to the 22 year-old from Llanelli who has her sights set on competing at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2016 Olympic Games.
The Rising Stars were also supported by a selection of the Academy’s other Patrons, Ambassadors and Members including Dame Kelly Holmes, Gareth Edwards, Rio Ferdinand, Barry McGuigan, Jamie Baulch, Nick Matthew, Nick Gillingham and Anna Hemmings – a truly inspirational group of British sporting legends.
Geoff Cousins, Global Director of Sponsorships stated: “It is fantastic to be able to support British sporting talent for the third year in a row and these young athletes really are on the road to success. Jaguar is dedicated to supporting the next generation of British sporting greats and the Academy is a long term commitment to this goal.”
In addition to the financial support towards equipment and travel costs, the unique Mentoring and Education Programme (MEP) is key to the success of the Academy and enhances the talented athletes’ overall development and learning. During the programme delivered by Kelly Holmes Education, a variety of topics are covered over the year including coping with injury, moving from talented to elite performance and financial planning. The Rising Stars work with the Academy’s Patrons and Ambassadors through tailored Workshops and Talent Days which are delivered by experts in their fields.
Jaguar Academy of Sport Patron Dame Kelly Holmes commented: “Money is great but education and learning is priceless to any athlete, whatever their sport. I am proud that my team at Kelly Holmes Education is delivering the Mentoring and Education programme, with huge support from an array of British Sporting Champions. It is the start of an exciting journey for the Rising Stars that I hope will be incredibly rewarding.”
The fifty 2012 Rising Stars were chosen after a rigourous selection process conducted by SportsAid, which administers the Bursary Fund on behalf of the Academy. The Patrons and Ambassadors of the Jaguar Academy of Sport, some of the nation’s most successful sportsmen and women including David Beckham, Jonny Wilkinson and Jessica Ennis, were all integral to this process.
These talented young athletes represent a total of 39 different sporting disciplines from goalball to rugby including able-bodied and disabled athletes who are based across the UK.
