Tees Valley Sport works with local authority areas in Redcar and Cleveland, Middlesbrough, Stockton on Tees, Hartlepool and Darlington.
Their objective is to get more people in the Tees Valley active in sports participation.
With over 50% of adults taking part in the minimum levels of physical activity, Tees Valley Sport have a challenge to get more people involved in sport, including young people.
They have introduced the Future Champions Programme for young people aged 12-18 in the Tees Valley area.
Working alongside Teesside University, the Future Champions Programme offers successful applicants will recieve a Physical Development Programme tailored especially to them as well as help with nutrition, psychology and even media training.
The Future Champions Programme has seen athletes compete at national and regional level as well as some being in contention for future Olympic games in their chosen sport.
One young athlete who has benefitted from Future Champions is 19 year old Liam Readle. Liam is a wheelchair basketball player who has taken part in the programme and has competed at both national and regional levels.
TU Xtra reporter Eden Lewis met Liam to find out how Future Champions helped him as an athlete.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hckB2bW_ifs
Applications for the newest wave of the programme close on December 11th, so visit teesvalleysport.org.uk/futurechampions to find out more and how to apply.
Trainee Sports Journalist, TU Xtra Presenter
