Sixteen year old athlete Georgina Barrington of Holsworthy, who will be competing in the 2009 UK School Games, has received the support of Olympic Gold and Silver medallist Darren Camp­bell.

Barrington will fence against the UK's teenage elite in the Women's Epée event, being held at the University of Wales in Cardiff from September 3 to 6.

"I congratulate Geor­gina for her determination in achieving a place at the UK School Games, which will no doubt be the most important performance of her sporting career so far," said Campbell, the UK School Games Ambassa­dor.

"Reaching the UK School Games is the closest a young person can get to competing at the Olympics. Competitors will experience their own opening ceremony, closing ceremony and Athletes' Village in South Wales. I'll be there watching Georgina and her fellow athletes be the best that they can be," he said.

Barrington is a student at Plymouth College and trains five hours a week to keep her fencing skills at a nationally competitive level. She also swims, rides, shoots and runs to heighten her fitness.

Georgina said: "I am very excited to have been selected for the UK School Games in Wales. It is not often that you get the opportunity to become a member of a fencing team to represent England,

"I am expecting the Athletes' Village to be alive with an electrical atmosphere. It will be a place where competitors unite to fulfill their hopes and dreams.

"It is so inspiring when you realize that someone who has reached such excellence in sport as has Darren Campbell, will be watching and advising us at the games."

Campbell is famed for winning Olympic Gold in Athens 2004 and Silver in Sydney 2000, arguably one of Britain's most successful sprint athletes. He retired from competing in 2006 and lives in South Wales.

He said: "We need to encourage talented individuals to prepare themselves for high level sport. The UK School Games provides a unique opportunity for young adults to experience the life of a professional athlete.

"Georgina will learn the responsibilities of managing schedules, eating healthily and how to cope with distractions in the Athletes' Village. These management skills are equally as crucial, as the rigorous training which goes into competing.

"It's going to be loads of fun. There is a strong focus on the athletes enjoying themselves and socialising with kids from all the different sports faculties in the Athletes Village."

Now in its fourth year, the UK School Games will attract the best school-aged athletes across ten sports and 2009 will be the first games to include track cycling.

The UK School Games is the pinnacle sports event for young people competing in the UK. The UK School Games is designed to create a legacy whereby young people of all ages and abilities can aspire to compete in sport, become leaders, volunteers and technical officials.