European Youth Long Jump Champion Holly Mills has been selected as Team England’s opening ceremony flag bearer at the Commonwealth Youth Games.

17 year old Mills who lives in Andover, Hampshire, is currently ranked in the top 5 in the world at Under 18 level for long jump and has produced the best jump for her age group in each of the last four years.  

Holly was selected as the flag bearer having been nominated by athletics and voted for by all the other sport team leaders.

Opening Ceremony of the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games will take place at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas on Tuesday 18 July.  The Games will see 1300 junior athletes aged between 14 and 18, from countries across the Commonwealth compete in 9 different sports over 6 days.

Team England will compete in athletics, swimming, judo, boxing, beach volleyball, tennis and rugby 7s with Mills leading a team of 72 athletes into the stadium.

On being selected as Team England’s flag bearer Holly Mills said:

“I felt so honoured when I was told that I had been chosen to carry the flag.  My friends and family are so proud and so happy, it been exciting sharing the news with everyone.

“It will be overwhelming to lead the team into the stadium, with so many countries coming together for the Games it will be an unforgettable experience.”

Scott Grace, Team England Athletics Team Leader said:

“I’m so pleased for Holly, being selected as flagbearer for the team is a real honour.  She met the qualifying standard for the last Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa in 2015, but despite her fantastic results she was too young at the time to compete under games rules.  This is great recognition for all her hard work.”

Team England Chef de Mission Sarah Winckless said:

“Congratulations to Holly as being selected as our flagbearer.  Holly’s performances over the past three years, her dedication to her training and her great character made her a fantastic choice. 

“This team represents the pride of England’s young people and I am sure it will be an unforgettable moment for Holly to lead everyone into the opening ceremony.”