The British Olympic Association (BOA) has announced the 120 athletes officially selected to compete for Team GB at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF) in Sydney from 16-20 January 2013.

The AYOF will see approximately 1,700 athletes aged 13-19 from 30 nations competing across 17 Olympic sports in many of the venues used to host the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Team GB will compete in 11 Olympic sports: badminton, basketball, diving, golf, gymnastics, hockey, rowing, shooting, triathlon, weightlifting and wrestling.

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.

Mark England, Team GB Chef de Mission said:
“Following the inspirational achievements of Team GB’s athletes this summer at the London 2012 Games it is an exciting time to lead this group of exceptionally talented young athletes to the Australian Youth Olympic Festival.

“The AYOF will play an important role in introducing these athletes to an environment reminiscent of the Olympic Games and providing them with a taste of a multi-sport competition. They will also have the opportunity to develop their understanding of the Olympic ideals of excellence, friendship and respect.  I’m confident the AYOF will prove to be an invaluable experience in progressing their international sporting careers as they aim to bridge the gap between youth and senior international representation. The statistics show what a crucial springboard the AYOF has been for many of our successful London 2012 Olympians.”

Tim Jones, Gymnastics Team Leader added:
“On looking back at our tremendous successes throughout the London cycle, the value of the Australian Youth Olympic Festival cannot be underestimated. The corresponding event back in 2009 provided our sport with a fantastic platform for this cycle, and allowed us to expose a significant number of transitioning junior gymnasts who went on to become hugely significant in the senior ranks by the time we reached the 2012 London Olympic Games. We hope that the event this coming January can provide us with a similar springboard to success, and act as an inspiration to the group of gymnasts we have selected".

2013 AYOF gymnasts

Men’s artistic

Dominick Cunningham - 2012 British junior all-around silver medallist

Courtney Tulloch - 2012 Junior European rings and team champion

Nile Wilson - 2012 Junior European all-around silver and team gold medallist

James Hall- 2012 British Junior 5th all-around

Women’s artistic

Amy Tinkler – 2012 British Espoir beam champion and all-around bronze medallist

Teal Grindle - 2012 British Espoir floor champion

Tyesha Mattis - 2012 all-around English Espoir champion and British Espoir bars champion

Catherine Lyons (replacement due to withdrawal of Emily Crowe) - 2012 British Espoir all-around champion

Trampoline

Joshua Newman – 2012 British FIG B under 15 silver medallist

Harry Newbold-Cozens – 2012 British FIG B under 15 boys champion

Megan Pettit - 2012 British FIG B under 17 girls champion

Isabelle Songhurst - 2012 British FIG B under 15 girls champion

Rhythmic

Helena Styles- 2012 British Open individual apparatus junior ball silver medallist

Lauren Brash- 2012 British junior all-around bronze medallist and British Open individual apparatus junior clubs champion

Tyler Brummit- 2012 British Open individual apparatus junior clubs silver medallist

Tiola Gleeson- 2012 British Open individual apparatus Espoir ball champion