Young Jersey weightlifter earns first GB selection

Jersey weightlifter Charlotte Neale will become the first islander to represent Great Britain in the sport after being called up for the European Youth Championships.

The 15-year-old, who only started lifting in April 2018, has been named in British Weight Lifting's 12-strong squad for the competition in Israel in December.

Her talent was unearthed through the Jersey Sport Foundation's 'Power to Podium' programme, which aimed to discover and develop local women to compete at Commonwealth level.

Neale holds three British under-15 records, lifting 59kg and 74kg in the snatch and clean and jerk disciplines.

Her long-term aim is to represent Team GB at the 2028 Olympics, although she says the 2024 Games in Paris could be a possibility.

Ahead of competing in Israel, she is set to appear at her second British Age Group championships at Oldbury Academy this weekend.