AUSTRALIAN YOUTH OLYMPIC FESTIVAL: Young fencer fighting fit for Sydney

FLEDGLING fencer Ben White is convinced he has been presented with the perfect opportunity to begin his junior career in style as he heads to Australia later this month.

FULL COVERAGE: Click here for full coverage of Great Britain's aspiring Olympians going for gold in Sydney

The 17-year-old Reading Fencing Club ace is one of six rising fencers heading to Sydney to compete in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival which gets under way on January 14.

White, who has only recently recovered from a pulled muscle, has just begun his first season at junior standard - having graduate from cadet level.

And the epéeist, who has world championship experience in 2006 in Korea and 2007 in Turkey, is in no doubt as to his potential as he heads for the Australian sun.

"I really can't wait to get to Sydney," he said. "I'm really excited about it. I've been away before but this will be completely different due to the association with the Olympics.

"I've been away before with Great Britain and I always enjoy the travelling aspect of competing and this will certainly be no different - I'm really looking forward to a bit of sunshine.

"And there's also the fact that we'll be using the former Olympic venues and the experience of the multi-sport event while being at the athletes village and mixing with the other sports will be an unbelievable feeling.

"Having got injured and gone through the panic of worrying I might not be able to make the trip, it just makes me more determined to do well."

White, who came eighth at the European Cadet Championships in 2008, has struggled to transfer his domestic and continental form onto the world stage.

But White believes Sydney marks the perfect place for him to establish himself of the global scene, with success at London 2012 the long-term priority.

"I've been doing much better at the Europeans than I have at the Worlds," he added.  "A medal would be fantastic so I'd love to come home with one and if I ever get to go to the Olympics hopefully this will prepare me for it."

"I would love to go to London 2012 - I know it's using a cliché but it would be a dream come true!"

Also competing for Great Britain in Sydney will be Jonathan May, Luke Kuhlmey, Elisa Albini and Hannah and Corinna Lawrence.