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Hertfordshire celebrates its young sports talent

Teenage athletes with the potential to reach the top of their chosen sport have been selected to receive free specialist support from the University of Hertfordshire.

The 25 youngsters from 16 different sports have been recruited to the Hertfordshire Talented Athletes Programme (HTAP) for 2010 to 2011, the university announced today.

The athletes , aged between 13 and 18 and from all over the county, have competed at national level or have been identified as having the potential to represent England or Great Britain in their chosen sport.

A diverse range of sports represented from traditional pursuits such as golf and athletics to the more unusual ski racing and para kayaking.

Last week the youngsters got a chance to meet each other when this year’s HTAP – now in its fourth year – was officially launched at Hertfordshire Sports Village at the de Havilland campus at the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield.

Sarah Grybowicz, who runs the HTAP at the university said after the event: “We had a really strong set of applicants across a wide range of sports so selection this year was as difficult as one would expect.

“Most people will not appreciate the combination of talent, hard work and time which the athletes and their parents, have to commit to reach this level. There is great mutual respect amongst the athletes when they explain their ranking, level achievement and future ambitions.

“Our programme is based on services that the senior elite athletes receive and so designed to take them to the next level and help them reach their potential.”

In the next 12 months all of the young sports men and women will have a personal strength and condition programme designed and delivered by elite coaches froth the Performance Hertfordshire who also look after other athletes from the top tier of English sport.

They will also have access to physiotherapy if they require it and receive professional advice on nutrition, psychology, media and lifestyle to help them become top- performing athletes Since the programme was launched it has helped 43 athletes 11 of whom have gone to gain higher levels of support through their sport’s governing bodies or through the government – funded Talented Athlete Scholarship scheme.

See also  The Welwyn and Hatfield Practice is here for you.

The HTAP’s main sponsors are the University of Hertfordshire, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and Hertfordshire County Council. Additional support comes from other businesses and organisations including Barratt North London, Broxborne Housing Association and Amwell View School and Specialist Sports College in Ware.

If any business or organisation is interested in adding their support to this programme please contact Sarah Grybowicz at [email protected] or phone tel +44 (0)1707 281183. More information is also available at www.hertssportsvillage.co.uk

News details
By:
Maroulla Georgiou
Date:
September 21, 2010

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