Eleven talented young athletes in the Bradford district are celebrating receiving funding which could help them on the way to becoming professionals.

More money has been provided under the SportsAid grant scheme which Bradford Council is partnering. They will share £11,000.

The Bradford SportsAid B-active awards are a follow-on from the Council’s B-active awards which recognises people in the district who through their outstanding achievements, encourage others to be more physically active.

The recipients are: Alexander Kupse, aged 15, of Idle, a talented sprinter and long jumper with learning difficulties; William Whiteoak, aged 14, of Oxenhope, a gifted young golfer; Hector Haines, aged 19, of Ilkley, an orienteer; Hector’s younger sisters Florence, 14, and Chloe, 17, are also following in his footsteps by showing great potential in orienteering; Cerys Jones, aged 14, of Shipley, is a relative newcomer to orienteering; John Bateman, of West Bowling, is a member of the England U15 national preparation rugby league squad; Millie Pugh, of Ilkley, is a rare talent in squash; Taminder Geta-Aura, of Wilsden, is another exciting squash talent. Two athletes with disabilities Thomas Poulton-White (discus and shot put) and Claire Ryan (athletics) have also received funding.