5:00am Tuesday 2nd December 2008
By Jo Winrow
Bradford’s policy of supporting the district’s emerging sporting talent is already proving successful as swimming sensation Sian Morgan won a clutch of gold medals at a recent regional championship.
The 14-year-old, who was the first recipient of the Council’s bactive sports grants, took six golds and one bronze medal at the North East Regional ASA Championships in Durham. In addition she broke a 29-year-old Yorkshire junior record in the 800-metre freestyle.
The teenager grabbed golds in both the senior and junior races for the 200m, 800m and 1500m freestyle Welsh events, breaking three records in the process.
Bradford Council’s executive member for environment and culture, Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, said: “Sian has quite rightly been recognised as one of the best young talents in the district, which is why she was the first to receive £1,000 from the Bradford Council and SportsAid grant to develop her skills in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics.
“We are delighted she is continuing to progress so well and she is a very good role model for young people to get involved in sports such as swimming and be more active.”
Sian swims for the City of Bradford Swimming Club, which is the competitive part of the Council’s swimming development programme, and is coached by the Council’s Andy Pearce.
She trains three mornings and five nights a week at Shipley and Rhodesway Pools and at Bradford Grammar School. And she is part of British Swimming’s 2012 Target Squad and hopes to be competing for a place in the Olympic team in four year’s time. She has also been fast-tracked into the Wales senior training squad.
Bradford Council and SportsAid Yorkshire and Humberside teamed up at the end of last year to provide £20,000 of funding for local athletes who have the potential to go on to compete at senior international level.
Earlier this year that money was doubled, extending the scheme for a further three years. Other recipients include: Robert Watson, of Bingley, who competes in cyclo-cross and road racing and is ranked British number one in his age group; Amanda Schofield, of Queensbury, who is the British number one in her category for para dressage; and William Smith, 13, of Denholme, who is a snowboarder and part of the GB under-18 junior squad.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/trade_directory/