Team England athletes selected for Trinidad and Tobago 2023
We are delighted to announce the 31 athletes who have been confirmed for selection to represent Team England at this summer’s Commonwealth Youth Games on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago from 4-11 August.
The team includes four para-athletes through the Para nomination process – signifying the first time the competition schedule at the Youth Games will deliver a fully integrated programme.
Consisting of 16 female and 15 male athletes, the group represents excellent medal potential for England in the athletics competition, which runs from August 7-10 click here for the full athletics competition schedule).
“It's a tremendous honour to represent my country on an international stage. I am aware of the legacy of previous English athletes who have competed, like Dame Kelly Holmes, and the high standards they have set. My reaction [on hearing she had been selected] was a mix of shock and excitement, a dream come true. This rates as my highest milestone I have reached as an athlete so far.”
“I am very proud to represent England and I am very grateful to be able to add this to my list of achievements. I was happy and surprised [on hearing she had been selected]. It’s a great honour to represent England and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.”
“It means so much to be selected. I’m so grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to represent England on such a big stage. This is the highlight of my career in 2023. It is in close contention to going to the under-18 European Championships and getting a medal. I am looking forward to the preparations, including kitting out, getting to know the full team as well as the coaching and support team.”
This will be the seventh Commonwealth Youth Games and features more than 1,000 athletes and para-athletes between the ages of 14-18 years competing in seven sports overseen by more than 500 officials.
Scott Grace, who will be Team Leader for the England track and field athletes in Trinidad and Tobago, said:
“I am really excited with the strength and diversity of our team. The selection for this team was as tough as ever, due to the calibre of all those on the long list and shows the future is bright for our sport. We will now build towards the Games and work with the athletes, parents, guardians, and personal coaches to ensure the team is in the best possible shape for the Games. I hope every athlete, their family, and personal coaches take great pride in their selection, and I look forward to leading this amazing team to the Games.”
The 31-strong England athletics team for Trinidad and Tobago:
Female
100m: Mabel Akande (coach: Denise Timmis, club: Lincoln Wellington AC)
100m – T38: Madeline Down (coach: Dominic McNeillis, club: Halesowen), Rosie Porter (coach: Cathy Walker, club: Herts Phoenix)
400m: Charlotte Henrich (coach: Carlo Monticolombi, club: Invicta East Kent AC)
800m: Alice Bennett (coach: Shane Smith, club: Kettering Town Harriers), Phoebe Gill (coach: Deborah Steer, club: St Albans AC)
1500m: Annie Mann (coach: James Mann, club: Winchester & District AC), Lyla Belshaw (coach: David Smith, club: Colchester Harriers)
3000m: Eliza Nicholson (coach: Phil Kissi, club: Herne Hill Harriers), Jess Bailey (coach: Matthew Long, club: Leven Valley AC)
100m hurdles: Thea Brown (coach: Joanne Harding, club: Sale Harriers Manchester)
400m hurdles:Mia Walker (Wirral AC, Andrew Fraser)*, Stephanie Okoro (coach: Tony Benton, club: Havering AC)
High Jump: Thea Brown (coach: Joanne Harding, club: Sale Harriers Manchester)
Long Jump – F38: Madeline Down (coach: Dominic McNeillis, club: Halesowen), Rosie Porter (coach: Cathy Walker, club: Herts Phoenix)
400m hurdles: Oliver Parker (coach: James Wright, club: Rugby and Northampton AC)
High Jump: Ethan Glyde (coach: Denis Doyle, club: City of Plymouth AC)
Long jump: D’Mitri Varlack (coach: David Millett/Carol Jackson/John Shepherd, club: Marshall Milton Keynes), Samuel Wright (coach: Simon Hemmings, club: Chelmsford AC)
Long Jump – F37: Vincent Forkner (coach: Jo Abel, club: Huntingdonshire)
Javelin: Tom Rutter (coach: John Waugh, club: Hertford & Ware)
Mixed relays
4x100m mixed relay: Arabella Wilson (coach: Andrew Fisher, club: Winchester & District AC), Ebuka Nwokeji (coach: Ty Holden, club: Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers AC), Teddy Wilson (coach: Tamunonengiye-Ofori Ossai, club: Be Fit Today Track Academy), Thea Brown (coach: Joanne Harding, club: Sale Harriers Manchester), Mabel Akande (coach: Denise Timmis, club: Lincoln Wellington AC), Rusciano Thomas-Riley (coach: Ronnie Williams, club: Coventry Godiva Harriers)
4x400m mixed relay: Charlotte Henrich (coach: Carlo Monticolombi, club: Invicta East Kent AC), Arabella Wilson (coach: Andrew Fisher, club: Winchester & District AC), Stanley Chevous (coach: Lee Bowker, club: Ipswich Harriers), Alexander Beck (coach: Mark Upton, club: Winchester & District AC), Stephanie Okoro (coach: Tony Benton, club: Havering AC), Oliver Parker (coach: James Wright, club: Rugby and Northampton AC)