A talented teenage rower is hoping to become the next Steve Redgrave as he attends a "boot camp" for Olympic hopefuls.

Myles Holbrough is making a splash in the sport and now the 14-year-old is preparing to join 75 other gifted youngsters who have what it takes to go for gold.

And, mentoring the 14 to 17-year-olds at the National Talent Orientation Camp at Loughborough University will be some of the country's top athletes, including double Olympic gold medallist, Dame Kelly Holmes.

Myles, of Eldwick, Bingley, has been a member of the historic Bradford Amateur Rowing Club for three years and was selected by the Amateur Rowing Association (ARA) to take part in the four-day event, which has been organised by the Youth Sport Trust.

The Bradford Grammar School pupil dedicates around ten hours a week practising on the River Aire with his club, which was founded in 1867.

What makes his selection particularly impressive is that, unlike many other clubs which have kilometres of water to practice in, the Bradford club only has a 500-metre stretch.

Myles said: "I just find it a fantastic sport. I just love sitting in a boat and going really fast in it. When I found out I was going to the camp, I was ecstatic. I enjoy working as a team but I really enjoy rowing as a single, then you know it is you that has done well. Steve Redgrave is one of my heroes. I hope to make it all the way, I will try my best to do so."

The ambitious youngster also hopes to study at Oxford or Cambridge so that he can take his place in the famous annual boat race.

His parents, Anne and Richard, and brother, eight-year-old Alastair couldn't be happier for him.

Mrs Holbrough said: "I don't know where he gets it from, I hate water! But there is just nothing else he likes better, he would come down to the club all day, every day if he could."

Dame Kelly Holmes knows first-hand the hard work and sheer determination required to make it to the top.

She said: "The camp aims to give these young athletes a real insight into what life is like at an elite sporting level, so that we can prepare them for what it takes to become the best.

"These young people are at an age where they are starting to make some really big decisions which will have a major impact on the rest of their lives, for example: Am I good enough to forge a career in sport? Do I want it enough? How can I balance my sport with my education? Am I making the best use of my talent to reach my goals?' "We will help answer these questions and challenge the youngsters to really think about their futures. Far from wanting to put them off a career in sport, we are showing them the opportunities available so that they are better-placed to make an informed decision about where they want to go in life."

e-mail: mel.fairhurst @bradford.newsquest.co.uk