ASDA Stevenage has given one local teenage athlete a kick start. Jordan Butler (above left) has been named as ASDA Stevenage s Sporting Chance recipient. Identified as one of the UK s future sport stars, lucky Jordan will receive a grant of £500 from ASDA

ASDA Stevenage has given one local teenage athlete a kick start.

Jordan Butler (above left) has been named as ASDA Stevenage's Sporting Chance recipient.

Identified as one of the UK's future sport stars, lucky Jordan will receive a grant of £500 from ASDA Stevenage which the promising teenager hopes will help him lift a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics in London.

ASDA, with the help of SportsAid, has compiled a list of the best emerging young talent in the UK.

The 13 year old, who lives in Broadwater and is a pupil at Heathcote Secondary School, was chosen to receive his grant for outstanding performances in his sport.

Over the next five years, ASDA Stevenage will be giving out a further nine £500 grants and provide further support to each athlete.

Encouraged by mum Helen, Jordan started judo lessons seven years ago.

Helen chose the activity as it was a local club and wanted Jordan to have an out-of-school hobby, and since then he has never looked back.

Jordan won a gold medal for his weight category at the Heart of England tournament, held at Birmingham's NEC Arena last year, and has since been placed in a World Class Start programme to help him progress in the sport.

The youngster is delighted with ASDA's sponsorship and said: "I'm really glad I've won it and hopefully it will help me achieve my goal of competing in and winning a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics."

Jordan is undecided on his final career choice - as well as judo he has a keen interest in motorsport and has ambitions to do well at both.

Sporting Chance aims to link children with free sport sessions over the summer.

Local sporting venues in the area will offer children a wide range of sports lessons over summer - from fencing to football, badminton to basketball, and trampolining to table tennis, and much more.

ASDA Stevenage's general store manager Ken McCorriston explained: "Sporting Chance is giving the store an opportunity to adopt and support the best talent Stevenage has to offer.

"By giving out much-needed grants we will be able to help athletes like Jordan with travel, equipment and training and give them as much support as we can.

"The main aim of the initiative is to get children involved in sport activities within the area.

"I cannot think of a better role model than Jordan to get children swapping their consoles for sporting activities over the summer.