Croydon hockey player Aathavan Lingeswaran has set his sights on full international honours following a rapid rise to prominence.

The 18-year-old, a Whitgift School pupil who will start at Queen Mary's University in September, has already represented England at U16 and U18 level and is desperate to break into the U21 set-up next term.

He currently plays for Holcombe but is hoping his move to Queen Mary's will result in him getting a spot in an England Hockey League outfit that will put him in the shop window.

“I’m hopeful of being involved with the England U21’s soon and my coach thinks I’ve got what it takes to compete at that level," he said.

"Queen Mary’s' hockey set up is not that good but there are quite a few clubs around the area which compete in the national league.

"My aim is to be competing at that level and I think I’m capable of doing it.

“If I do well for the U21’s, I’ll be looking towards the London 2012 Olympics and I think it’s possible if I work hard and my game improves."

The teenager's ’s Olympic ambitions received a boost earlier this month when he was one of 270 hopefuls picked for the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes initiative and given a cash-injection of £1,000.

“It’s great to be associated with the local hero initiative," he said.

“It’s the first year I’ve been involved in the scheme but it’s really helped in my career so far.

“It gives me a great base and an opportunity to make it in hockey and the money has been a great help with that.

“I am at school so I’m not earning money and it means it can be quite hard to afford the equipment that I need.

“When I train with England we train in Birmingham as well so the money gives me the chance to link up with the rest of the squad which is really important to me.”

Lloyds TSB Local Heroes is an initiative in partnership with SportsAid providing support and funding to over 270 of Britain’s most talented developing athletes on their journey to London 2012 and beyond. To find out more about Lloyds TSB Local Heroes visit lloydstsb.com/localheroes.