Helping hand helps Hooper swim

Shropshire swimmer Alexandra Hooper has been fast-tracked as a future British Olympian this week after being handpicked to join the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes initiative.

The 17-year-old Thomas Telford School pupil will receive a cash injection of £1,000 to help with the cost of training and competing after being one of only 250 youngsters selected from across the UK.

Hooper also attended the Cardiff launch of the initiative at the Welsh Institute of Sport this week, where she received masterclasses with former British Olympians Iwan Thomas and Katharine Merry on food, nutrition, media and training.

And Hooper insisted rubbing shoulders with the likes of Sydney Olympic bronze medallist, Merry, was all the inspiration she needed to follow in the footsteps of the former double European junior champion.

"It's great to be selected as a Local Hero because it gives you the confidence that someone believes in you and believes you have the ability to succeed at the very highest level," said Hooper.

"It's great to get the recognition and to know that someone thinks you are good enough to maybe get to London 2012 – that's my aim and hopefully I can do that.

"I have to travel 40 miles to training every day, so to get some extra money for petrol and for all the competitions I have to go to is great."

Hooper, who has previously landed World School Games silver and will travel to Monte Carlo next month to compete in a senior meet, caught the eye of Merry in Cardiff.

And the former British No 1 400m ace, who spent individual tuition time with each of the 36 Local Heroes attending, is backing the City of Birmingham teenage swimmer to make waves in the coming years.

"It has been a real privilege to come and meet some of these youngsters," said Merry.

"I know there's going to be a handful which will go on and represent Great Britain at an Olympic Games, whether that is at London 2012 or in 2016.

"The boost and confidence the likes of Alexandra will receive after being recognised by this initiative will act as a real spur going forward."

• Lloyds TSB is providing £1,000 to over 250 emerging young sportspeople identified each year across Britain, in the run up to London 2012 and beyond. Visit Lloydstsb.com/Localheroes

By TOM REYNOLDS