SWINDON gymnast Jade Faulkner has set her sights on making a mark at this year’s Commonwealth Games after receiving a £1,000 cash windfall from the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes initiative.

For the second year running, the 16-year-old Esprit Gymnastics Club member was handpicked as part of 270 youngsters across the country to receive funding, plus expert tuition from the likes of former Olympians Leon Taylor and Iwan Thomas.

The rhythmic gymnastics calendar throws up a hectic 2010 with the World Championships in Moscow in September as well as the trip to India for the Commonwealths in October.

And the Highworth Warneford School pupil admitted the money will go a long way to fulfilling her duel international dream this year.

“I’m hoping to go to the Commonwealth Games this year,” said Faulkner – who won three bronze medals at the British Championships last year. “You can qualify at three competitions and I think they’re taking three rhythmic gymnasts in the England team.

“I have come second in the country but not at a national event so I can’t really say I’m ranked second.

“There’s the World Championships in September as well this year which I’m looking to go to. It will be the same people going to both, the same trials for the team, so hopefully I can get on to both.” Now in its third year the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes initiative, which is run in partnership with SportsAid, is designed to ensure more talent reaches the top and to ease the financial burden on parents.

And Thomas, who won Olympic 4x400m silver at the Atlanta Games in 1996, believes Faulkner’s inclusion on the scheme will play a major role in her fulfilling her potential in the sport. “The funding from Lloyds TSB will be a great boost for athletes like Jade and it will hopefully help them achieve their true potential,” said Thomas.

“It will take the financial pressure off the athlete and off their parents and allow them to concentrate on their sport “The recognition is also important for young athletes because there are so many sports men and women who aren’t supported and they lose their way.

“So the grant and the sponsorship are far more important than just the financial benefits because it gives athletes the belief that they are good enough to reach the top.”

  • Lloyds TSB Local Heroes is an initiative in partnership with SportsAid providing support and funding to over 270 of Britain’s most talented developing athletes on their journey to London 2012 and beyond. To find out more about Lloyds TSB Local Heroes visit www.lloydstsb.com/localheroes