A teenage canoe star is being encouraged in his bid for national glory with the help of elite-level sports science services.

Canoe slalom competitor Richard Booth, 15, is learning how to succeed further through a partnership between Bradford Council and the sports charity SportsAid.

The Bingley Grammar School pupil is in the top five in the country in his age group and has represented Yorkshire.

He is one of the latest crop of talented young athletes in the district to benefit from SportsAid funding.

The athlete services scheme is part of the SportsAid Bactive Sporting Excellence Programme, a project funded by Bradford Council to develop and improve opportunities available to young local athletes.

Earlier this month, he attended the second athlete services induction day at Leeds Metropolitan University, where he learned about strength and conditioning, sports psychology and nutrition.

Richard, a member of Bradford and Bingley Canoe Club, based on the River Aire at Wagon Lane, Bingley, will now be individually assessed so that he can receive more tailored advice.

Rob Clarke, regional development manager for SportsAid, said: “He’s a talented young guy. By working with Bradford Council, not only are we helping Richard financially, but he is now part of our athlete services programme at Leeds Metropolitan University. We hope this additional elite- level support will help to give Richard that additional boost on his journey.”

Councillor the Rev Paul Flowers, the Council’s executive member for culture, said: “The Bradford SportsAid B active awards are a follow-on from Bradford Council’s bactive awards which recognised people in the district who, through their outstanding achievements, encourage others to be more physically active.

“It is good to see people like Richard, who work so hard, benefiting from such awards.”