SPORTING stars of the future have been a given a cash boost to help with their training and travel expenses.

Members of the Dunmow Rotary Club generously gave out between �300 and �400 to four youngsters from Helena Romanes School in a bid to help them pursue sporting excellence.

President David Green presented the lucky recipiants with their cheques at a ceremony last Thursday.

He said: “The awards that have been entirely funded by the club and will go some way towards meeting the increasingly high costs that are involved with training and competing at the highest levels of their sports.”

As well as the individual awards Mr Green also presented a �2500 cheque to Chris Dyer from SportsAid, the national charity for sport. The cash was raised a sportsmans dinner event earlier this year when Essex cricketer Angus Fraser came down to give a talk.

The recipients are:

Timothy Coupe – Age 14 – Hockey goalkeeper

Timothy played in successful indoor and outdoor hockey teams over the past season with very high final placing in the National Championships in January this year. He has the realistic ambition of being invited to join the England Under 16 squad.

Katie-Ann Tuttlebury – Age 18 – Athletics

Katie Ann has had a busy cross-country season with several high placings in Regional events and the English Schools Championships. Her target now is to improve times on her track events and to represent the County.

Alfie Walsh – 14 – Judo

Alfie has qualified for the England Judo Squad for the 2nd year and has been identified by British Judo of one of the youngsters showing great promise and potential. He aims to compete in the Junior European Championships.

Daisy Walsh – age 17 – Judo

Is in her 4th consecutive year in the England Judo Squad. She is currently ranked second in her age and weight category. Her short-term ambitions are to become number 1. in her weight at Under 20.