Team GB golfers tee off the action on Day two of the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF). Team GB Flag bearer Georgia Hall along with her nine teammates will be the first Team GB competitors in the sport of golf for over one hundred years when they take to the Twin Creeks Golf course in Ludenham, Sydney.
Golf Team Leader Kyle Phillpot said: “After four days of getting used to the heat, time difference and the course, the golfers are fully prepared and looking forward to the Youth Olympic challenge. They are all fit, happy with their game and swinging well. They are all enjoying playing the course and there is no reason why they shouldn’t be successful. They all have the potential to reach the medal podium.”
Air pistol shooters Kristian Callaghan, Coral Kennerly and Jess Liddon are joined by three position shooters Michael Bamsey, Ross Shears, and Larissa Sykes on day one of the shooting competition. All have the opportunity to become Team GB’s first medallists of the AYOF as both heats and finals are contested on the same day.
Scottish shooter Jess Liddon said: “I am really excited to get my AYOF competition under-way. We’ve had a few practice sessions and after speaking to some of the athletes whose competition has already started, I just can’t wait to get out there.
“We went to the Opening Ceremony this evening which was fantastic and the venue we are competing in was the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games venue which is really exciting.”
Also getting their competition under way are the Team GB basketball players in the 3x3 competition in Darling Harbour. Basketball 3x3 was a major success at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.
Team GB’s men side are made up of Gregor Gray, Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye, Joshua Steel, and Malcolm Winning. Whilst the women’s team consists of Rhianna Laing, Shanice Norton, Rebecca Taylor, and Savannah Wilkinson. The competition starts with an eight team round robin followed by play-offs, semi finals and a final.
After beating Australia 4-1 in the quarter-final of the team event, Team GB’s six badminton players face world number one China in their team semi final.
Team GB Badminton player Chloe Birch said: “We have China next up and that will be tough as they are the best nation in the world for seniors and juniors. But it is a good chance to play them and to test ourselves against some of the best players. We played them at the World Juniors last year and it was tough but hopefully we can get the result this time around.”
After a strong start to their competition with a 7-3 win over Malaysia, Team GB men’s hockey team face hosts Australia in their second round match at the Sydney Olympic Park. Whilst the GB women hope to put behind them a 3-0 loss to Australia when they face China.
Men’s hockey player Will Byas (Yorkshire) said: “We have got Australia next up. We have already had three practice games against them and they have been pretty competitive but we have ended up on the wrong side of the score each time. We keep getting better and we keep upping the performances so hopefully we will get one over them when it matters.”
Team GB in Action Day 2: Thursday 17 January
Badminton - Sports Hall - West, Sydney Olympic Park
11:00 - 15:00 Team Event Semi Final and 5/8 Playoffs
16:00 - 20:00 Team Event 5/6 & 7/8 Playoffs
16:30 - 20:30 Team Event 3/4 Playoffs
17:00 - 21:00 Team Event 1/2 Playoffs
Basketball 3x3 - Darling Harbour
14:00 - 15:00 Round Robin
15:00 - 16:00 Free Throw Competition
16:20 - 17:20 Round Robin
17:40 - 19:00 Round Robin
Golf - Twin Creeks Golf Club, Ludenham
07:30 - 13:30 1st Round
Hockey - Hockey Centre, Sydney Olympic Park
13:00 - 14:30 CHN v GBR - Women
19:00 - 20:30 AUS v GBR - Men
Shooting - Sydney International Shooting Centre, Cecil Park
08:30 - 16:00
Air Pistol Women & Men Heats
3 Position Women & Men Heats
Air Pistol Women & Men Final
3 Position Women & Men Final
(Times stated are local Sydney times. Sydney is +11 hours ahead of UK time)