IT is not every day your sporting idol gets in contact with you to offer his guidance, but that is exactly what has happened to javelin star Freddie Curtis.

Curtis, from Hardwick, near Bicester, is ranked top of the UK javelin under 23 standings, after throwing 72.73m at the Karis Telefon Games in Finland last year.

Last month, Curtis was contacted on Twitter by four-time European champion and former world record-holder Steve Backley, who offered to help the 21-year-old reach his ambition of competing on the big stage, starting with the World Championships in London next year.

Curtis, who benefits from being a part of the SSE Next Generation programme, recently underwent surgery on a shoulder injury that has ruled him out of this season.

But he remains confident with Backley’s help, he can turn his dreams into reality.

“It was great when he got in touch,” said the former Bicester AC star, who now competes for Milton Keynes.

“We’ve been emailing each other and working on quite a few things.

“One thing he is big on is visualisation, so we’ve been doing a lot of that and improving that while I can’t compete.

“He said it’s the biggest thing I can work on at the moment and I think I needed to work on my mental skills.

“I haven’t met up with him yet, but I will be looking to see him soon. It’s great he’s taken such an interest in me.

“It would be great if he became my mentor, because he’s been through everything. So it would be amazing to get him on my side.”

Curtis, who trains at the Finnish National Training Olympic Centre, is tipped to become one of Britain’s next successful field athletes.

And while his dreams of making the team for this summer’s Olympics have been dashed, Curtis insists reaching the Tokyo games is in his grasp.

“This season for me is all about keeping fit.

“I’m hoping to compete in London next year, so hopefully it will have healed in time.

“I’m aiming for Tokyo 2020 and it’s definitely within my reach.”

SSE’s Next Generation programme partners with SportsAid to provide financial support and training to the sports stars of the future. Keep up to date with @SSENextGen.