The athletes, aged between 13-19. will be competing in 11 Olympic sports in Sydney at the event due to be held between January 14-18.

 

The last AYOF in 2007 proved to be a springboard for eight members of Britain's team to go on to make the Olympics in Beijing.

 

They included Louis Smith, who became the first Briton for a century to win a medal in the gymnastics when he finished third in the pommel horse, the event he won at the AYOF.

 

Others who used the AYOF to enhance their careers included diver Tom Daley, who at 14 became the youngest person to represent Britain at the Games for nearly half-a-century.

 

At the AYOF, Daley won the silver medal with synchro-partner Callum Johnstone in the 10-metre synchronised-diving final.

 

The sports to be contested in Sydney are archery, canoe/kayak, diving, equestrian, fencing, gymnastics, hockey, rowing, shooting, triathlon and volleyball (beach).

 

Up to 1,600 athletes representing 25 nations, including China and the United States, will compete, by invitation, at the AYOF. 

 

The event was set up by the Australian Olympic Committee as part of the legacy of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

 

The 2009 AYOF is the second time that Great Britain has been invited to compete in the AYOF.

 

A total of 106 Team GB athletes attended the 2007 AYOF with 91 returning to the UK with at least one medal. 

 

Great Britain finished with a highly credible 14 gold, 20 silver and 14 bronze medals.

 

Smith said: “Going to the 2007 Youth Olympic Festival in Australia was an amazing experience that gave me an opportunity to compete in a multi sport event, mixing with similar aged athletes from around the world. 

 

"It set me up for my World Championship medal later that year as well as helping me to prepare for Beijing in the summer of 2008.”

 

Mark England, the Chef de Mission of Team GB, said: “As part of the BOA’s desire to discover future Olympic champions and provide them with the experience of participating in multi-sport events, this Festival presents a fantastic opportunity for over 100 of our finest young potential Olympians to get their first taste of Olympic competition.

 

"With the London Olympic Games less than four years away, many of these athletes will be hoping to use this experience as a stepping stone to 2012.”

 

David Faulkner, the hockey team leader said: “The AYOF is an excellent opportunity to expose younger home nation players to a GB experience previously only limited to senior internationals.

 

"The multi sport environment and travel experience is vital for our team development.

 

"It is also a fantastic opportunity for young official, coach and manager development and we relish the chance to build our experience across the board.”

 

To view the full list of athletes representing Team GB, please click here.