Great Britain junior internationals and national champions are among the Hertfordshire Talented Athlete Programme’s 20-strong class of 2013/14.

The protégées, aged between 13 and 18 from across the county, will receive access to top class service providers including Performance Hertfordshire and Bodybalance Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic at Hertfordshire Sports Village in Hatfield.

This wealth of knowledge and experience provides the athletes, who compete in sports from skiing to disability swimming and from judo to sailing, with a great foundation to their sporting career.

Sports scholarship coordinator Sarah Grybowicz feels the London 2012 Olympic Games legacy has helped fuel the dreams of sporting talents in the county.

“I am delighted that we are continuing to run the programme for another year, the second post-Olympic year, which shows the levels of sporting talent across Hertfordshire are as high as they have ever been,” she said.

“The legacy of the London Olympics is significant in upholding the aspirations of young athletes as they pursue their dreams to compete at future Games.

“This year we are supporting 20 athletes who will benefit from the same level of training as accessed by senior athletes on World Class programmes.

“This foundation of support is perfectly designed to prepare them for future expectations as they progress in their sporting careers.”

Some of Hertfordshire’s most famous sport stars, including GB sprinter Jodie Williams and European Tour golf professional Tom Lewis, have previously enjoyed the benefits of the programme.