Elite athletes from across the district are benefiting from the legacy of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.

Almost one year on from the games, £18,000 has been awarded to promising young people from across the district thanks to a partnership between Bradford Council’s b active campaign and sports charity SportsAid.

Six junior elite athletes – Rhianna Mae-Laing, 16 (basketball); Charles Grocock, 19 (judo); Ruby Bower, 14 (diving); Rebekah Tiler, 14 (weightlifting); Leah Moorby, 13, and Natasha Burdock, 15 (taekwondo) – have all been selected to receive £1,000 each to aid their ambitions of competing at senior international level in the future.

Eight additional athletes, including two from disability sports, who also show great potential, are receiving a share of £4,000 in funding to help them progress to a higher level.

The elite hopefuls will take part in a sports science programme at Leeds Metropolitan University, involving group workshops on nutrition, sports psychology, and research techniques, to better understand what they need to do to be the best they can be.

Coun Andrew Thornton, Bradford Council's executive member for environment, sport and sustainability, said: “Through these investments we are supporting athletes that we hope will one day compete for Great Britain in future Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Rob Clarke, SportsAid’s regional development manager, said: “This funding from Bradford Council and SportsAid will ensure that Bradford’s emerging sporting talent makes the city proud.”