Heath's own Nicola Adams earns seal of approval from Team GB

For Jade Ashmore has been selected to attend a Team GB assessment camp at the home of Olympic boxing, the English Institute Of Sport in Sheffield. And if she does well, she could soon be joining the national development squad for female boxers.

“It means I become a full-time athlete, training at the institute, staying in accommodation there and receiving coaching, physio and help with nutrition,” said the excited 19-year-old, who is a member of Chesterfield Amateur Boxing Club. “I have been on England Boxing’s Excel talent programme since last year, but this is even higher than that. I am really pleased with the progress I am making.”

Jade’s latest achievement reflects a string of excellent results, both in the youth age-group and now as a fully fledged senior. Currently fighting in the 51-kilo category, she has landed titles and medals at English, British and European levels.

Identified by national scouts as one to watch, she is in her final year at Bradford College, which houses a renowned boxing academy and counts double Olympic gold medallist Adams as one of its former students. Jade has already passed a sports coaching course and is now studying to be a gym instructor.

As well as her coaches, she is full of praise for her two main sponsors, IEG Solutions Ltd, of Mansfield, and Greenside Family Butchers, of Hasland.