Fermanagh girl Casey Howe had the chance to rub shoulders with the great and good of British sport when she as she attended the recent SportsAid 40th Anniversary Ball in London.
Ballinamallard and Northern Ireland footballer Casey was one of only five from 100 SSE Next Generation Athletes selected to go to the event where she had the chance to meet the likes of Olympic gold medallists Mo Farah and star gymnast Louis Smith.
At the event there were over 30 past and present Olympic and medallists and there are over 1000 Sports Aid Athletes throughout the whole of the UK and Ireland. A few of the past athletes include the likes of Mo Farrah, Jessica Ennis, Tom Daley. 
Casey, who receives funding as a Next Generation Athlete, was selected after she caught the eye at SSE Next Generation Athletes’ Glasgow workshop in June and also for her talent on the pitch. 
At the workshop they had the follow sessions in things such as time management, approaching transitions, goal setting/planning and holistic considerations. The athletes also received media training and nutritional training.
It was felt that Casey’s hard work and dedication should be rewarded by being selected for the Ball.
There is no doubt that the younger player has been making her mark on the pitch and she was recently selected for the NI U17 squad at the age of 14 which is a great achievement. She was to go to a training camp in Holland from November 20-24 but was cancelled although it is hoped that it will be rearranged.