A TEAM of talented athletes celebrated becoming Sporting Ambassadors for Essex at the Radisson Blu Hotel at Stansted Airport on Monday (February 1). The Team Essex Ambassador programme provided by Essex County Council (ECC), funds top-tier athletes who ha

A TEAM of talented athletes celebrated becoming Sporting Ambassadors for Essex at the Radisson Blu Hotel at Stansted Airport on Monday (February 1).

The Team Essex Ambassador programme provided by Essex County Council (ECC), funds top-tier athletes who have been identified by their National Governing Body of Sport as having the potential to compete at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Each year, ECC awards 12 athletes a bursary for the year.

Each athlete collected their �6500 bursary which has been awarded to help with the costs of training and competing at the highest level.

In return for the award the athletes will become Essex sporting ambassadors. Part of an ambassador's role will be to contribute time to visit schools and community projects, inspiring young people across the county to become involved in sport.

ECC cabinet member for the 2012 Games, Cllr Stephen Castle, said: "It was a pleasure to meet with the 2010 Team Essex Ambassadors.

"They are a group of truly talented individuals, and I was struck by their dedication and drive to succeed in the challenge of the lifetime - the London 2012 Games.

"Essex County Council is extremely proud to be supporting their endeavours, and it is my hope that they will be a true inspiration to the young people across the county.