SHILLINGSTONE Hockey player Alice Pyrgos has been hand-picked as a future British Olympian after being chosen to be part of the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes initiative.

The 17-year-old will receive a cash injection of £1,000 towards training and competing and is one of only 264 youngsters selected from across England and Wales.

Pyrgos, a pupil at Bryanston School, attended the launch of the scheme at Wembley Stadium, where she rubbed shoulders with Olympic diving silver medallist Leon Taylor.

And Pyrgos – a Trojans Hockey Club member – admits her recent recognition will be just the confidence boost she needs ahead of a hectic 2012 season.

“It’s really nice to be one of the people to be picked especially given my injury problems in recent times,” said Pyrgos – who also was treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Olympic Park in East London.

“The money will help with my continuing rehabilitation on my calves, I suffer from compartment syndrome, which basically means I have high pressure in my muscles.

“The money will also help with travelling to meet up with the England Under-18s squad, but my main aim this year is getting back fully fit.

“I had the operation in July last year, and everything is going fine, but I want to fully justify being given the vice-captaincy of England.”

In partnership with SportsAid the Lloyds TSB initiative is designed to ensure more talent reaches the top of their sport.

In total 346 talented athletes are part of the programme with 82 Bank of Scotland Local Heroes north of the border also receiving funding towards training and competing.

Taylor knows a thing or two about spotting talent having helped mentor London 2012 gold medal hopeful Tom Daley since he was ten, and he believes Ibbotson and co. are the future.

“It’s fantastic for these young athletes to get the funding and support because they have got a massive amount of talent,” said Taylor, who won Olympic 10m platform silver in Athens in 2004.

“So it’s great for them to get some recognition and support and hopefully they can go on from here to have great careers.”

* Lloyds TSB Local Heroes, in partnership with SportsAid, provides support and funding to 346 of Britain’s most talented developing athletes on their journey to London 2012 and beyond. Since 2008, the programme has supported 1,000 athletes. Follow future stars at facebook.com/lloydstsblocalheroes