Lloyds TSB Local Heroes given helping hand en route to realising Olympic and Paralympic dreams

By Jack Travers, Sportsbeat

MORE than 300 Olympic hopefuls have been handpicked as GB stars of tomorrow by London 2012 partner Lloyds TSB - and were given a taste of what to expect in their careers on Tuesday.

MASTERCLASS: Olympic triple jump gold medallist Jonathan Edwards treats the stars of tomorrow to a masterclass in Loughborough

Olympic gold medallist triple jumper Jonathan Edwards and diving silver medallist Leon Taylor were on hand to dish out some expert tips to the 344 budding athletes, who have been selected as part of the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes programme, now in its fourth year, at Loughborough University.

And all 344 were given a financial boost of £1000 to help towards travelling costs and training after research conducted by SportsAid indicated that the cost of pursuing a career in sport remains the single biggest barrier to an athlete's progression. 

Commonwealth Games boxer Iain Weaver and world junior trampolining champion Nathan Bailey are among those selected, while double European Youth Olympic Festival gold medallist sprinter Jennie Batten admits being on the scheme is just the ticket.

"It's been really good here and the sessions that we've had are very interesting and then the money is going to be a real help as well," said Batten.

"I don't think people realise how expensive athletics can be. I'm using quite a lot of money for warm weather training in Portugal which will be a great experience for me ahead of the outdoor season.

"Last season was great for me. My main highlight was going to the World Junior Championships in Canada and doing the relay for Great Britain.

"This season I want to go to the European Juniors. I'm hoping to go their and represent Great Britain in the 200m and the relay and I want to get my PB down.

"200m is my favourite and I do 100m some of the time but 200m is the main one for me."

The Local Heroes scheme is now in its fourth year and Lloyds TSB has now supported a total of 778 future Team GB and ParalympicGB stars since it began in 2008.

In all, more than one in four Local Heroes have progressed through the talent pathway since the initiative began, indicating that investing in sporting talent at an early stage will ultimately increase the stock of top British talent that could go on to compete at the highest level.

And Commonwealth Games high jumper Vikki Hubbard is convinced the scheme can help her realise her London 2012 dream.

"The scheme really helps with regards to funding. Last year I wasn't on any kind of lottery funding and so it really helps with travel expenses and so to be asked back is really helpful in that respect," she said.

"Last year I went to the Commonwealth Games and so I didn't do an indoor season so I've been building up my strength in the winter and focusing on the outdoor season.

"The Commonwealth Games was the highlight of my season last year. I came fourth which is the worst place to come but it was a great experience and a big step towards the Olympics and the funding will be a great help."