Tomorrow s sporting stars have been helped on their way thanks to grants from North Hertfordshire District Council s Talented Individuals Fund. Athletes and coaches have received financial help with the costs of training in sports at county, regional and

Tomorrow's sporting stars have been helped on their way thanks to grants from North Hertfordshire District Council's Talented Individuals Fund.

Athletes and coaches have received financial help with the costs of training in sports at county, regional and national level.

They are Benjamin David, Jack Gates, Alex Gates, Rebecca Newstead, Anne Rees and Nicholas Stoppard in athletics; Sangeeta Dhall, Renu Dhall and Matthew Pocock in badminton; Jade Hope and Sidney Nurthen in rugby; Edward Johnson in hockey; and Thomas Worbey in swimming.

The district council provides more than £5,000 a year in grants to local residents through a fund now administered through Sport North Herts.

This is a community sports network representing statutory, private and community organisations dedicated to delivering and developing sport.

The grants are given twice a year and the next closing date for applications is midday on Friday June 20.

For more information and application forms, go to www.north-herts.gov.uk or speak to the sports development team on 01462 474000.

Cllr Trisha Gibbs, the district council's portfolio holder for community engagement, said: "We are very pleased to help so many dedicated young people reach their full sporting potential.

"The council is committed to supporting talented athletes and coaches especially with the 2012 London Olympic Games on the horizon."

And Ken Charles, chairman of Sport North Herts, added: "We are very proud of the achievements of so many of our young sporting performers and greatly admire the enormous dedication and commitment to their individual training programmes, several hours a day most days of the week. We also applaud the high quality coaching which inspires and motivates them.