International fencer and Lower Sixth pupil Abagael Black has won prestigious support from SportsAid, the charity helping young British sportsmen and women aspiring to be the country's next Olympic, Paralympic, Commonwealth and world champions, under their 'Backing the Best' scheme.
She was nominated for the award through British Fencing in recognition of her GBR domestic and international results and performance trajectory. It also recognises her commitment to the British Fencing Athlete Development programme.
Abagael says, "the award is a huge confidence builder knowing that both British Fencing and SportsAid recognise my sporting ability and believe in me. During the last year I have had to be inventive with my training and I'm certain we have all struggled at times. Having virtual SportsAid sessions led by Olympians and paralympians such as Adam Peaty, Leon Taylor and Kadeenai Cox inspired me to maintain my focus. I really hope this next year sees a return to competitive sport and I have the chance to meet my Backing The Best peers in person."
Patron of SportsAid is Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge and she recently championed the parents and guardians of talented young athletes while highlighting the important role they play in British sporting success. The Duchess delivered a speech where she shared her admiration for the parents and guardians and thanked them. Abagael echos this wholeheartedly! "I am hugely grateful to my mum who has had to make sacrifices for me to continue in sport, Backing The Best will take a little pressure off her and will enable her to hear of other parents' sporting journeys."
Abagael's success continues the long tradition of sporting excellence here at Plymouth College and it is something she is both thankful for and takes great pride in. "I feel fortunate that I have been inspired by so many OPM's such as Tia Simms-Lymn, Myles Pillage and Ben Andrews and I hope we continue the fencing tradition."
