Her patronage aims to draw attention to the "amazing commitment, sacrifices and achievements of young British athletes who one day hope to compete at the Olympic or Paralympic Games," it is claimed.

Since becoming Sports Aid patron earlier this year the Duchess has already participated in a workshop in the Olympic Park, where she watched aspiring athletes competing across various sports before personally taking to the volleyball court for an impromptu cameo. 

On this occasion, she was first introduced to three illustrious recipients of Sports Aid funding, 2010 Olympic skeleton champion Amy Williams, 11 times Paralympic gold medal winning wheelchair racer Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and London 2012 pairs rowing champion Anna Watkins. 

During the subsequent dinner attended by around 650 guests, the Duchess presented SportsAid's prestigious one-to-watch award to the 16-year-old shooter Amber Hill.

The Duchess of Cambridge presents aspiring shooter Amber Hill with her "one-to-watch" award ©Getty Images





Competing in the skeet category Hill is the junior world record holder and was the youngest female competitor at this years World Championships in Peru, where she won a team silver medal. 

"Tonight has been absolutely amazing - I'd like to thank SportsAid and Lloyds Bank for all the funding this year, it's been a massive part of the success, as well as my family and friends for all the support they've given me," said Hill after receiving her prize. 

"Meeting the Duchess was incredible.

"She is such a lovely person and a great role model and the fact that she recognises young people in sport is a great thing."

The evening also included "live demonstrations" from young athletes who are supported by SportsAid from sports including cycling, judo, fencing, table tennis, taekwondo and wheelchair basketball.

The significance of the annual event, and of the Duchesses presence, was explained by SportsAid chief executive Tim Lawler.

"The SportsBall is a very special occasion in the winter calendar - it's a celebration of sport, for sport's sake," he said.

"The attendance this year of the Duchess of Cambridge took things to a new level.

"It was a wonderful evening featuring some amazing young athletes – the living legacy of 2012 is in safe hands."

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