Team England’s clay target shooting team has been revealed with just 43 days to go until Glasgow 2014.
The squad of 11 brings the shooting team’s total number up to 25 and includes BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Amber Hill and record setter and double gold medallist Charlotte Kerwood.
Two of England’s squad will be aiming to defend their Delhi 2010 titles as Aaron Heading (men’s trap) and Steve Scott (men’s double trap pairs) both return, whilst Charlotte Kerwood and Rachel Parish, who between them won four medals at the Melbourne 2006 Games, are reunited after their events returned to the sports programme.
Debutant Rory Warlow, aged 24 and Britain’s number one skeet shooter, attended the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune where he won gold and was a member of Team GB for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Team England Chef de Mission Jan Paterson welcomed the 11 to the team saying:
"This group of athletes completes our shooting squad and I'd like to welcome them all to Team England. They're a hugely talented group of athletes who are committed to playing their part in our success in Glasgow."
Matt French said: “I am over the moon to be representing England at the games! This is the high point in my shooting career so far and a dream come true.
“If I never fire another shot after the Games I can retire a happy man knowing I have achieved something very special.”
“My minimum aim is to make the top 6 final but realistically I won't be happy if I don't return with a medal.”
Mike Gilligan said: “Being selected to represent Team England at the 2014 Commonwealth games in Glasgow is a massive honour for me after all the year’s hard work I have put in. I am going there confident of coming away with a medal.”
Sarah Gray said: "This time last year, making the team for the 2014 games was something I wanted so badly to achieve but it was going to take a lot of hard work and determination.
“I am both proud and honoured that the hard work has paid off and am looking forward to making the most of this fantastic opportunity!"
Amber Hill said: "I am really excited that I've been selected to represent Team England at Glasgow 2014. There is no better feeling than getting that call to say you're in; I know it's going to be an amazing event and a great experience.
“It will be so brilliant, I've always been involved in sport so to be part of a bigger team is amazing, when I've finished competing I'll take the opportunity to support the rest of Team England, it will be great to be part of something."
Rachel Parish said: I'm thrilled to be selected to represent team England at the Commonwealth Games. This will be my second Games and I'm really looking forward to competing. I've been training hard and I'm going to do my very best to succeed in Glasgow.”
Caroline Povey said: "I am absolutely thrilled and very honoured to be selected to represent Team England at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. To be competing in a multi-sport event is going to be a new experience for me and I am really excited at the prospect.
“Like all athletes it has taken many years of dedication and training to reach the Games so to be able to have my friends, family and sponsors cheering me on in the stands will be a great reward for all of us."
Rory Warlow said: "I am delighted to have been selected to represent England at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, it's a massive privilege to be able represent your country on such a stage and I'm going to try my upmost to come away with a medal."
The team in full is as follows:
Name |
From/Lives |
Trains |
Matt French |
Ickford, Buckinghamshire |
Nuthampstead/Beverly |
Mike Gilligan |
Derby |
Doveridge |
Sarah Gray |
Woodchurch, Kent |
Tenterden, Kent |
Aaron Heading |
Kings Lynn |
Lincolnshire |
Amber Hill |
Windsor |
Bracknell |
Charlotte Kerwood |
Cuckfield, West Sussex |
Fletching, East Sussex |
Rachel Parish |
Surrey |
Nottingham |
Caroline Povey |
Matlock |
Matlock |
Steve Scott |
Lewisham |
Battle, East Sussex |
Dave Sipling |
Scunthorpe |
Lincolnshire |
Rory Warlow |
Plymouth |
Plymouth |