Talented Hertford sailor Rhiannon Massey has received a financial boost from local company Ashbourne Insurance to help her realise her dream of one day becoming a world sailing champion and competing in the Olympics.

Rhiannon, 16, is a pupil at Haileybury College in Hertford Heath and has already successfully competed in a number of junior World and European events. She races a Laser (a single-handed sailing boat) and is a member of Great Britain's RYA Volvo National Youth Squad.

Rhiannon is supported by the Herts Talented Athlete Programme (HTAP) which provides services and offers support to young talented athletes across Hertfordshire. It is sponsored by a number of organisations including the University of Hertfordshire, Lee Valley Regional Park, Hertfordshire County Council and Hertfordshire is Ready for Winners.

Ashbourne Insurance, which has offices in Hoddesdon and Cheshunt, decided to sponsor Rhiannon after a presentation by the university of Hertfordshire and Hertfordshire is Ready for Winners at a local business networking event urging local businesses to help the stars of the future. Sarah Smiits, Financial Director at Ashbourne Insurance said: "We are thrilled to be helping Rhiannon pursue her sailing dreams. She is an incredibly talented young lady as her inclusion on the HTAP programme demonstrates and hopefully our support will help with the many financial costs competing around the world entails."

Nick Brooking, Director of Sport at the University of Hertfordshire added: "It's so important we work together with local businesses like Ashbourne to help our young athletes in Hertfordshire be able to compete on the world stage. Rhiannon has the potential to be a world champion of the future and I'm thrilled that the University of Hertfordshire and Ashbourne can do their bit to make those dreams a reality."

Jon Heyes of Herts is Ready for Winners said: "It is great to see Ashbourne Insurance of Hoddesdon and Cheshunt taking up the challenge of sponsoring Rhiannon Massey on her way to becoming Hertfordshire's own potential future World and Olympic champion. Our Herts Talented Athlete Programme, of which Herts is Ready for Winners is proud to support, is the vehicle for businesses to get involved in creating a real legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games which will be realised through young athletes like Rhiannon."

From 3rd to 9th June, Rhiannon competed in the prestigious "Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta" at Weymouth which is the last pre-Olympic regatta befire the actual 2012 London Olympics. She was one of over 500 competitors from 59 nations including many of this year's Olympic hopefuls. In August she will be competing in the U21 Ladies European Championships in Belgium.

Ashbourne Insurance have recently achieved an enormous amount of success in competing in regional and national business awards; and thought it would be an excellent way to celebrate their business success by 'giving-back' to a local youth with drive, great talent and passion. That individual is Rhiannon Massey.

For further information please contact Nick Brooking, Director of Sport on 01707 281190