Handball star Holly looks ahead to 2012 Olympic Games (From Warrington Guardian)

Handball star Holly looks ahead to 2012 Olympic Games

11:20am Friday 27th April 2012 in News

IN less than 100 days time, Holly Lam-Moores will realise a life-long dream.

Because selection permitting, the 21-year-old will compete for Great Britain in handball at the London 2012 Olympics.

This week Holly was in Warrington to accept a role as patron at Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation.

And Warrington is fast becoming a leading light in the promotion of the game with an impressive set-up run from The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

It is one of the reasons why Holly, whose dad and wider family still live in Warrington, was only too happy to get involved.

She said: “We are the ones doing the dirty work if you like so that in the next 10 or 20 years the future stars of handball can live like the rugby players do here.”

In Europe, where Holly has played for teams in Denmark and Norway, the stars can command excellent wages and games are watched by thousands in the stadiums and millions on TV.

Holly hopes the success of schemes like the one in Warrington, as well as a greater exposure of the game in London, will help it hit those heights in the UK too.

In the run-up to the games, she is living and training in London with the rest of the GB team.

“We may not have the most naturally gifted players but we can have the best preparation of any teams there,” she said.

While GB will be the lowest ranked team at London, recent wins over African champions Angola and close matches with other nations means there is real reason for optimism.

And it will be hard work from now until July 27 when the Games are opened with only one weekend off planned. Final squad selection takes place on June 19, with the squad whittled down to 14.

One of the team’s stars, Holly looks certain to be picked, but she is desperately trying not to get ahead of herself.

“I don’t want to think about it too much until the selection is over but I am excited,” she said.

Unlike other sports, some of her family will be able to cheer her on from the stands at the Copper Box arena after British Handball bought up tickets.

“I couldn’t have done any of it without them. They have supported me so much; financially, mentally and physically.

“My mum and stepmum are so proud, they always want to tell everyone what I do.”

To read Holly's blog on preparations for London click here