Press releases

After more than 300 nominations and five weeks of voting, each of the mentioned Arriva UK bus businesses have crowned its ‘Star of the Future’ as part of an appeal to find the nation’s sports stars of tomorrow. As well as the kudos of being crowned Arriva’s Stars of the Future the winners will each be awarded financial support worth £500 from Arriva to help cover the costs of training, tuition or travel. The winners are as follows:

David Phillips, aged 9, attracted 62 percent of the votes to take the Arriva Midlands Star of the Future title. Ranked 38th out of 263 in the Grand National Archery Society’s junior award scheme, David first took up archery at the age of six and has since gone on to receive numerous awards.

Sporting sensation Anna Gill, 14-years-old, attracted a massive 73 percent of the votes to win Arriva the Shires & Essex Star of the Future. Anna, from High Wycombe, was born without a left arm below the elbow, a weakness on her left side and cerebral palsy. However, Anna has refused to let this stop her and competes in para dressage. Anna won the British Dressage Talent Spotting Competition in 2006 and regularly competes against team GB Olympians.

Arriva Scotland’s Star of the Future, David William Morgan, aged 13 from Renfrew, gave up a pro-youth football contract with St Mirren to concentrate on swimming and now competes in the 200m butterfly.

Jo-Jo Cranfield, aged 14, took the Arriva Southern Counties Star of the Future title. Born with her left lower arm and hand missing, Jo-Jo has achieved huge sporting success, competing in disabled swimming. One of just 14 swimmers throughout the UK to have been selected for the British Swimming World Class Disability Star Squad, Jo-Jo aims to be stood on the winner’s podium at the 2008 Para-Olympics.

Arriva Southern Counties (Kent) Star of the Future title was awarded to Alexander Torbica.  Alexander, aged 16, is the youngest person selected for the World Class Star Programme and has been recognised as someone with exceptional rowing talent. Alexander is now working towards, and well on his way, to competing at the 2012 Olympics.

The North Wales and Welsh Junior athletics champion, Kierran Cooper, was awarded Arriva Wales’ Star of the Future title. Kierran is a member of Wrexham Athletics Club where he has broken numerous club records. Now ranked 2nd in Britain for the long jump Kierran hopes to be breaking more records in the future.

Arriva Yorkshire’s Star of the Future, Loriah James, aged 11, has been training with the City of Leeds Gymnastics Club since the age of six, is currently ranked fourth amongst gymnasts her age in Great Britain, and is aiming to compete in the 2012 Olympics. 

David Shadbolt, marketing manager – UK regions, said: “Star of the Future has received fantastic public backing from people right across the UK. The support that the competition has received is testament to the UK’s enthusiasm and appreciation of home-grown sporting talent.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the level of achievement of each and every one of the applicants and believe that every contestant is a winner in their own right. Arriva will be keeping its eyes peeled for any familiar faces over the next five years, which hold significant importance for UK athletes.”