A total of £9,450 has been awarded to a group of athletes in Amber Valley from Podium - a scheme which supports emerging talented sports performers.

The group of 38 athletes have shared the bursary pot, receiving between £150 and £400 each to help them meet training-related costs such as travel, equipment, coaching fees or competition costs.

The athletes compete in a wide variety of sports from athletics and badminton to Taekwondo and tennis. Many of them already compete for England or Great Britain in their chosen sport, while others are part of a recognised national development squad or a development squad aligned to a professional sports club.

The 38 athletes include hockey players Toby Hooker, Alexander Robey, Naomi Cotterill, Madeline Wood, Nick Morris, Monica Jones-Knowles, Anna-Frances Toman, Joe Sharp, Kathryn Lane and Daniel Darby; swimmers Molly Renshaw, Emily Allsop, Fiona Donnelly, James Latham, Benjamin Goodall and Hannah Jones; and canoe polo players Thomas Baston and Gallin and Ross Montgomery.

Also receiving a bursary is: Richard Weir (Athletics), David Feeney (Athletics), Cameron Mclean (Athletics), Ragnar Mularczyk (Badminton), Rob Peat (Cricket), Adam Wheatcroft (Cricket), James Shaw (Cycling), Kieren Leigh Straw (Football), Chloe Foster (Football), Bethany Griffin (Golf), Greg Townley (Gymnastics), Zack Needham (Kickboxing), Danielle Smith (Roller Sports), Jake Pilgrim (Rugby League), Alice Woodings (Sailing), Toby Woodings (Sailing), Hannah Jones (Snooker), Jessica-Mai Woodhouse (Taekwondo) and Harry Finney (Tennis).

Podium is backed by Derbyshire's sport and business scheme ICON, with money raised from the scheme used to support local athletes through Podium. Members include Amber Valley Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council, together with more than 45 other local organisations.

Julian Townsend, Executive Director, Environmental Services, Amber Valley Borough Council, said: "Amber Valley Borough Council is delighted to be able to continue to assist local athletes in this way and is proud to support Podium and be part of the network that provides financial and in kind support to our sporting stars.

"It is fantastic to see such as breadth of talent in Amber Valley, with so many athletes in a huge range of sports succeeding. I would like to congratulate each of them on their efforts and wish them all the very best of luck for the coming year."

DC Leisure have also awarded each of the athletes with a £50 voucher for use in their leisure centres in Ripley, Alfreton and Heanor, to assist the athletes with their training.

More about each of the athletes is below.

Podium is managed by Derbyshire Sport and is financially supported by ICON. 

ICON is part of the work to create a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Games in Derbyshire, and is supported by the following local authorities: Derbyshire County Council, South Derbyshire District Council, North East Derbyshire District Council, Derby City Council, High Peak Borough Council, Amber Valley Borough Council, Bolsover District Council, Erewash Borough Council, Chesterfield Borough Council and Derbyshire Dales District Council.

ICON members also include Active Nation, Benz Bavarian, Brampton Manor, Chesterfield School Sport Partnership, Community Sports Trust, Cooper Parry, Denby Pottery, Derby College, Derby County FC, Derby Telegraph, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, Derbyshire County Cricket Club, Derbyshire Economic Partnership, Derwent Media Group, Destination Chesterfield, East Midlands Airport, East Midlands Designer Outlet, Flint Bishop LLP, Geldards, Hampton by Hilton Derby City Centre, Holiday Inn Derby Riverlights, Innes England, International Golf Development, John Felix Films, Lonsdale Swimming and Sports Trust, Marketing Derby, Nuffield Health Derby Hospital, Orchid, Origination, Rolls-Royce, Royal Bank of Scotland, Smith Cooper, Spirit Medical, Stancliffe Hall, Team Sims, Technogym UK, Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd, University of Derby, Venture Inspection Ltd, webdna Ltd, Westfield Shopping Centre and W T Parker Ltd.

For more information about ICON visit www.derbyshiresport.co.uk/icon

The 38 athletes from Amber Valley who have received a bursary are:

Richard Weir (Athletics)

Richard, from Riddings, represented England at a competition in Nice, and gained fourth place at the England Athletics Championships in the 1500m. The 27-year-old competed at the Aviva UK Trials and Championships in July and narrowly missed out on a place in the men's 1500m final.

David Feeney (Athletics)

24-year-old David, from Belper, won a bronze medal at the England Athletics Indoor Combined Events Championships in 2011, and a silver medal in the 60m hurdles at the North of England Championships. He was also the North of England Indoor Heptathlon Champion. His goals for 2012 include to make the Great Britain team for the Indoor and outdoor combined events championships.

Cameron Mclean (Athletics)

Wheelchair racer Cameron, from Duffield, finished in fifth place at the London Mini Marathon. The 15-year-old also won a silver medal in the 100m at a national disability sports event. His long term goals include competing at the Paralympics in 2016.

Ragnar Mularczyk (Badminton)

13-year-old Ragnar, from Mapperley, won a bronze medal in the level doubles at the U13 National Championships, and was a quarter finalist in the singles event. He became U13 county champion in singles and level doubles, and was a finalist in the U15 county singles.

Rob Peat (Cricket)

Rob, from Ripley, is a member of the Derbyshire Mini Cricket Academy. In 2011, the 15-year-old was the second highest wicket taker in Derbyshire age groups, and the sixth highest run scorer.

Adam Wheatcroft (Cricket)

17-year-old Adam, from Belper, plays county cricket and Derbyshire Premiership cricket for the Alvaston and Boulton Cricket Club 1st XI. In 2011 he took 20 county wickets and 35 premiership wickets.

James Shaw (Cycling)

James, from Heanor, is part of the British Cycling Olympic Talent Team. The 15-year-old rode for the East Midlands in cyclo-cross, mountain bike, track and road cycling in 2011. He won round three of the National Cyclo-Cross Trophy and was the Midlands Regional Cyclo-Cross Champion. He competed at the UK School Games and rode for Sky Pro-Cycling Future Stars at 'Revolution' 2011.

Kieren Leigh Straw (Football)

15-year-old Kieren, from Heanor, is a member of Derby Shooters Disability Team.

Chloe Foster (Football)

20-year-old Chloe, from Leabrooks, plays for Leeds United Ladies who finished third in the FA Women's Premier League last season. Her goal is to gain a place in the England U23 team.

Bethany Griffin (Golf)

13-year-old golfer Bethany, from Ripley, is a member of the Derbyshire Ladies County Squad. She qualified to compete at the English Schools Championships after taking fourth place at the Midlands Schools Championships. She took fifth place in the EWGA English Girls U13 Championships.

Greg Townley (Gymnastics)

15-year-old Greg, from Belper, competed at the World Age Group Tumbling Championships in November, competing in the 15-16 years age group. Greg qualified in second place and came sixth in the final. During 2011 Greg also became British Tumbling Champion for the ninth time, and he is now training for the Junior European Championships.

Toby Hooker (Hockey)

Toby, from Duffield, played for the Nottingham Lynx U17 Junior Regional Performance squad in September 2011 and was selected to attend the National High Performance Assessment Camp. The 16-year-old's goals for 2012 include selection to represent the region at the Futures Cup and selection for England U18 trials. He is part of the Belper Hockey Club U16 Boys squad which has won through to the National Finals of the England Hockey Championships on March 31.

Alexander Robey (Hockey)

16-year-old Alexander, from Duffield, was part of the U16 team which won the 2011 Futures Cup. He is progressing through England Hockey's Single System Player Pathway and aims to compete for England, having already represented his county and Junior Regional Performance Centre teams. He is part of the Belper Hockey Club U16 Boys squad which has won through to the National Finals of the England Hockey Championships on March 31.

Naomi Cotterill (Hockey)

Duffield's Naomi, (15), represented the Midlands in the Futures Cup. She also represented Belper in the National Finals for U16 indoor and U18 outdoor, and played for Derbyshire U16 and Beeston in the Midlands Premier League. Her goals for 2012 include to be selected for England High Performance Assessment and progress to the England squad.

Madeline Wood  (Hockey)

15-year-old Madeline, from Belper Hockey Club, has been selected for the England U16 National Age Group Programme. She represented Mercia Lynx (Midlands) in the National Futures Cup tournament (U16) and was captain of the Derbyshire U15 county team. She has also represented Belper Ladies and Belper U16 and U18.

Nick Morris (Hockey)

42-year-old Nick, from Duffield, was part of the first England over 40s Hockey Masters Team to win gold at the World Cup in Singapore in 2011. Nick scored five goals including the winner against Australia. He was also part of the team which won the Home Nations Championship and European Championships.

Monica Jones-Knowles (Hockey)

Monica, from Belper, earned her first cap for Wales at the Home Nations Masters Tournament in 2011. In 2012 Monica, (40), hopes to represent Wales at the Masters Hockey World Cup.

Anna-Frances Toman (Hockey)

Anna-Frances, from Duffield, has acted as captain and vice-captain of the England U18 team, and won a bronze medal with the team at the European Championships. The 18-year-old has now been selected for the England U21s.

Joe Sharp (Hockey)

18-year-old Joe, from Duffield, represented England U18 a year young at the Four Nations in April 2011, and at the European Championships in Holland where he was made captain. Joe also plays for Belper Men 1st XI in the National League.

Kathryn Lane (Hockey)

16-year-old Kathryn, from Duffield, represented England U16 at the Four Nations, and also gained caps against Germany and Scotland. She represented England U17 at the UK School Games in September, and in 2012 she hopes to represent England U18 and compete at the UK School Games again.

Daniel Darby (Hockey)

Daniel, (16), from Holbrook, played three games for England U16 during 2011 and has now been selected for the England U18 squad. During 2012 he hopes to compete at the Four Nations and the UK School Games.

Zack Needham  (Kickboxing)

14-year-old Zack, from Ripley, is a current world champion. He won the JFCC (Junior Full Contact Council) English title, and also won a gold medal at a JFCC rankings tournament. He will be fighting for the EFK British title in 2012.

Thomas Baston (Paddlesport)

Thomas, from Horsley, trained and competed with the Great Britain team during 2011. The 26-year-old also competes with Viking Canoe Polo Club which won silver at the European Club Championships in 2011 and retained both the National League and National Championship titles. He was part of the Viking A team which won the Odesnse International in Denmark in early January and matched that achievement in the Karnath Cup in Germany in March.

Gallin Montgomery (Paddlesport)

23-year-old Gallin, from Belper, is a member of the Great Britain Senior Men canoe polo team and Viking Canoe Polo Club. In 2011 he won the Ypres International and London International. His goals for 2012 include winning the World Championships, the National Championships and the National League.

Ross Montgomery (Paddlesport)

21-year-old Ross, from Belper, is a member of the Great Britain U21 Canoe Polo team, which took second place at the Essen European Cup competition in Germany and third place at the Mechelen European Cup competition in Belgium. He also plays for Viking Canoe Polo Club. He was part of the Viking A team which won the Odesnse International in Denmark in early January and matched that achievement in the Karnath Cup in Germany in March.

Danielle Smith (Roller Sports)

12-year-old Danielle, from Heanor, has been selected to be train in the Great Britain development squad, and hopes to achieve the qualifying times to represent Great Britain at the European Championships. In 2011 she competed in Europe and achieved a silver medal in Portugal and top ten positions in Belgium and Germany.

Jake Pilgrim (Rugby League)

15-year-old Jake, from Denby Village, is currently on a scholarship with Wigan Warriors. He was scouted while part of the RLFC East Midlands Development and Training Squad.

Alice Woodings (Sailing)

17-year-old Alice, from Lea, was part of the Laser Radial National Squad which competed at the Youth European and World Championships in France in July. She also competed at the National Laser Inland Championships. Alice hopes to be selected to represent Great Britain at the Radial Youth Championships in Belgium in August.

Toby Woodings  (Sailing)

14-year-old Toby, from Lea, was a member of the Topper National Intermediate Squad in 2011 and competed at a number of national and regional events. He now sails a Laser Radial and was the youngest competitor at the Laser Youth Nationals.

Hannah Jones (Snooker)

Hannah, from Quarndon, is the current World Ladies Junior Champion and UK Ladies Plate Champion, and is ranked 6th in the World Ladies Snooker list. Hannah, (15) is also the World Ladies British Open Junior Champion, and her goals for 2012 include winning a fifth consecutive World Junior title. Hannah represented England at the women's European Team Championships in Bulgaria in March 2012, reaching the semi-finals. 

Molly Renshaw (Swimming)

Molly, (15), won silver in the 200m breaststroke at the British Gas Swimming Championships, and bronze at the European Junior Championships in 2011. She also qualified to compete at the World Championships in Shanghai, and won silver in the women's 200m breaststroke at the Commonwealth Youth Games, breaking her own British and English Records in the heats and finals. She also won gold in the medley relay with her English teammates. She swam at the British Championships and Olympic Trials in March in a bid to qualify for the 2012 Games. She won a silver medal in the 200m breaststroke final, but was left disappointed after missing out on qualification by a fraction of second. She is now training hard for the ASA National Championships at Ponds Forge in Sheffield in June, where she will have a further chance to qualify for the Great Britain Olympic team.

Emily Allsop (Swimming)

18-year-old Emily, from Smalley, was a member of the England Development Team which won three bronze medals at the Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships in South Africa. She was also selected as a member of the Royal Life Saving Society UK team which competed at the Dutch Open National Championships.

Fiona Donnelly (Swimming)

Fiona, from Hazelwood, represented Great Britain at the European Junior Championships and won bronze for Scotland in the women's 400m individual medley at the Commonwealth Youth Games. Fiona, (16), has qualified to compete at the Olympic Trials in March.

James Latham (Swimming)

16-year-old James, from Quarndon, swam at the British Championships in the 100m breaststroke, achieving a personal best of 1:08.55 and finishing as the 13th ranked junior. James also swam at the National Championships, securing places in the 15/16 years finals of the 100m and 200m breaststroke. He is a member of the ASA Talent Development Programme Level 2.

Benjamin Goodall (Swimming)

Benjamin, from Ambergate, qualified for seven events at the British National Youth Championships, finishing as the 8th top 15-year-old in the 400m freestyle and 200m butterfly. He also qualified to swim at the British Championships 2012 (Olympic Trials) in the 200m butterfly. He has been selected to represent Great Britain at the LEN Open Water Cup in Israel in May 2012. His inclusion is based on the strength of his performance at the British Championships at the London Aquatics Centre, and if successful in Israel he will join the GB squad at the European Junior Open Water Championship in Turkey in July. Ben has also been selected for the England Central team at the UK Games.

Hannah Jones (Swimming)

14-year-old Hannah, from Ripley, is a member of the England Talent Programme Level 2 and competed at the British Championships in the 100m and 200m fly. At the National Championships she took sixth place in the 200m fly and tenth place in the 100m fly, and in the Midlands Championships she took first place in the 200m and 100m fly.  

Jessica-Mai Woodhouse (Taekwondo)

16-year-old Jessica, from Belper, is a world champion in team sparring, and won gold in team sparring at the English Championships where she also won bronze in individual sparring and patterns. Her achievements also include win gold in team sparring and individual sparring and patterns at the Scottish Championships.

Harry Finney (Tennis)

In 2011 ten-year-old Harry, from Belper, was selected as a member of the AEGON Future Stars Programme by the LTA. He won the Derbyshire County Closed U10 competition, and the AEGON Masters U9 national title. His goals for 2012 include winning the AEGON Masters U10 national title, and to be ranked in the top five of all U12s.

Notes to journalists

Derbyshire Sport is a county sports partnership and provides the strategic lead for sport in Derbyshire.  It is a partnership organisation made up of partners working together to improve the lives of the people in Derbyshire through sport and active recreation.  Sport England is a major funder of Derbyshire Sport.

Partners include Amber Valley Borough Council, Bolsover District Council, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Dales District Council, Erewash Borough Council, High Peak Borough Council, North East Derbyshire District Council, South Derbyshire District Council, NHS Derbyshire County, Sport England, Sport Governing Bodies, Further and Higher Education, School Sport Partnerships, Local Sports Networks and the Derbyshire Schools' Sports Association.

To discuss this further please contact Nikki Sargeson on 01773 571227 or 07900227017 or e-mail nikki.sargeson@derbyshire.gov.uk