28 November 2011. Last night, Rising Star Crystal Lane was named the Jaguar Academy of Sport 'Star of the Future' at the Jaguar Academy of Sport Annual Awards.

Crystal, a para‑cyclist from Retford competes in the C5 category and has had some fantastic achievements this year. She took bronze medal at the Para‑Cycling Road Championships behind teammate and World Champion Sarah Storey. She has won four out of five of her international appearances for Great Britain and also won the C5 500m Time Trial at the British National Track Championships. Crystal also finished within the top 20 cyclists at the able‑bodied British National Track Championships 2010, a great achievement for a para‑athlete.

Crystal Lane, Jaguar Academy of Sport Star of the Future, commented: "It's fantastic to have won a Special Recognition Award but to win the Star of the Future Award too is just great ‑ I really didn't expect it. The Academy has provided me with so much support this year, which has definitely helped me progress in my sport. The mentoring programme has been very helpful and to be able to meet so many key people within the world of British sport is truly inspiring. Hearing their journey and how they have overcome issues has provided me with some great advice and will definitely help me on my way to Rio 2016."

Recognised alongside Crystal were four other Rising Stars who have had fantastic achievements over the past year. Rugby player Anthony Watson, windsurfer Kieran Martin, boxer Patrick McCann and badminton player Rhys Walker, who also received the Jaguar Academy of Sport Special Recognition Award on the night.

In winning this award each Rising Star will receive a years worth of one‑to‑one mentoring with one of Britain's sporting successes, these sessions are organised by Kelly Holmes Education who deliver the Mentoring and Education Programme on behalf of the Academy. The advice and guidance this will provide these young athletes is invaluable and is well proven in helping them on their road to success.

Dame Kelly Holmes, Jaguar Academy of Sport Ambassador commented:"It was such a great evening last night and amazing to see so many great achievements in British sport. The five young Rising Stars have done so well and I am sure the one‑to‑one mentoring will really help them along in their sporting career. The Jaguar Academy of Sport is truly delivering on its promise to invest in the future of British sport and you can see this from the success of all the Rising Stars that the Academy has supported so far."

Many British sporting performances from household names were also celebrated on the night. The categories along with the award winners are listed below:

JUMP OFF THE SOFA MOMENT

·       Dai Greene

MOST INSPIRATIONAL BRITISH SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

• Mark Cavendish

MOST INSPIRATIONAL BRITISH SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

• Hayley Turner

BRITISH SPORTING PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

·       England Cricket Team

BRITISH SPORTING PERFORMANCE FOR AN ATHLETE WITH A DISABILITY

·       Tom Aggar

PATRONS AWARD FOR SPORTNG LEGACY

·       Dave Roberts

The Jaguar Academy of Sport aims to recognise, celebrate and inspire the very best of British sporting talent and success. This is fulfilled through a Bursary Fund and a unique Mentoring and Education Programme (MEP) delivered through a series of workshops and talent days. Mentoring is key to the Academy and provides all the Rising Stars with the non‑financial support they need in order to be successful. The MEP allows all our Rising Stars to work with Britain's sporting greats and their heroes who they hope to emulate.

(ENDS)

Claire Boakes                                   
Press Officer                          
Jaguar Academy of Sport      
T: 01926 649447                                
M: 07557 846883                   
E: cboakes@jaguar.com 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Website:www.jaguaracademyofsport.co.uk

How to become a rising star

To be eligible for the Jaguar Academy of Sport Bursary Fund, the young athlete, both able‑bodied and those with a disability, should be nominated to SportsAid for financial support by their sports own national governing body (NGB). This ensures the Jaguar Academy of Sport helps to support the right athletes, at the right time, in the right way.

Who are the Patrons, Ambassadors and Members

Patrons; including  David Beckham OBE, Sir Ian Botham OBE, Sir Steve Redgrave CBE, Gareth Edwards CBE, Denise Lewis OBE   and Dame Kelly Holmes DBE, MBE, our list reads like a 'who's who' of British sporting Legends. Now they are working together, united in one goal; to nurture the next generation of British sporting greats.

Ambassadors; a selection of Olympic gold medal winning athletes, European Champions League winning footballers, Ashes legends and golfing greats.

Members; include A P McCoy OBE, Andrew Flintoff MBE, Gareth Southgate, Olly Barclay and Mo Farah to name but a few are amongst the leading sports personalities who are dedicated to helping young people emulate their success through the Academy.