The legacy of the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics is still being felt in Bradford, as thousands of young people have benefited from investment in sports since.

A recent report to Bradford Council has highlighted the progress of sports in the district’s schools in the past year, and reveals that the 2012 legacy has only just begun – and may only be fully realised in several years when school-age children move on to become professional athletes.

Among the benefits being felt since the Olympics are an increase in sports competitions taking place between schools and a rise in the number of young people being awarded grants to move up to higher levels within their sports.

One of the groups set up in the aftermath of the Olympics was the Bradford Secondary School Sports Association. Thirty-six schools are involved in the association, the goal of which is to increase the number and range of sport competitions, create competitions for students with disabilities, and support talented students to become the next generation of players, coaches and officials.

Since it was formed, the number of competitions involving multiple schools has risen by more than 30 per cent, and the number of sports involved has also increased by 20 per cent to 23.

Although the most popular school sports – netball, rounders and football – make up many of the competitions, schools are also invited to compete in more obscure sports like speed climbing and dragon boat racing.

In the district’s primary schools, the amount of sport initially declined after the Olympics, but in spring last year more funding was announced for school sports, and since then participation has been steadily increasing.

The report said that the past several months has seen more investment in training teachers in PE, increasing the chances for primary children to take part in competitions with other schools and creating more spaces on after school sport and holiday clubs.

More than 80 primary schools are involved in the Government’s Change4Life initiative, which involves school receiving equipment, training and support to get pupils more active.

Two other schemes are the Matalan and BUPA schools programmes. The BUPA Programme helps develop movement and basic physical skills among four to seven-year-olds, while the Matalan initiative develops leadership skills and team-working. Locally, 100 primary schools and 20 secondary schools have been involved in the programmes.

And Bradford’s B Active campaign, formed in 2003, has also benefited from the Olympic legacy. It provides grants to young athletes who have been identified as likely to benefit from better access to training and services.

A spokesman for the programme said: “The full impact of the programme may not be felt for five years as the athletes progress to senior elite level. Statistics suggest that it takes six years for an athlete to progress onto Lottery funding and most Olympic sport athletes will be aiming for 2016 in Rio or 2020.”

Private companies are also helping schools improve. Horton Park Primary School has received a grant of £660 from the Watson Buckle Foundation, which was set up following the 2012 Olympics to fund legacy projects. They will use the money to buy equipment that will allow students to take up archery.