THREE stars of the future admit tonight’s Oxfordshire Sports Awards will be unusual territory.

Sailor Alice Davis, England netball ace Emma Thacker and top-ranked cyclist Millie Couzens are on the shortlist for junior sportswoman of the year.

Davis, 15, became world champion in the U16 RS tera class in August but admitted she was shocked to receive recognition at county level.

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She said: “It’s quite new for me to be in this sort of thing, I’ve never really experienced it before.

“To get there is an achievement in itself.”

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Thacker has grown used to winning titles for her country, including the U17 European crown.

She is part of England Netball’s U21 Academy programme despite only turning 18 in July, but admitted she is not used to individual honours.

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She said: “It’s usually more about the team, but it’s exciting to get an individual nomination.”

Couzens, 16, has also raced towards the top of her sport, finishing tenth at this summer’s European Youth Olympics just six years after she first rode a bike.

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She misses tonight’s event due to competing at the Cyclocross World Cup in the Czech Republic, but hopes her inclusion on the shortlist can inspire others.

The 16-year-old said: “It’s a big responsibility but I want to get as many people involved as possible.”