FENLAND’S community projects were handed an Olympic seal of approval today as a campaign to reward the district’s brightest sporting talent was launched.

Applications are now open for the Fenland Sports Stars of the Future project, which gives young sports hopefuls the chance to develop their careers by offering the winners free use of all council leisure facilities.

The campaign - and the council’s mobile gym - were praised by Inspire Programmer Joseph Ballard who presented council officers with the coveted ‘Inspire Mark’.

The award comes a week after Fenland’s efforts to leave a legacy from London 2012 were praised by Olympic legend Jonathan Edwards during a tour of the Olympic Park.

Presenting the award inside the mobile gym in Chatteris, Mr Ballard said: “At the end of the tour last week Jonathan Edwards was beaming about Fenland.

“What’s so significant about these projects is that they are taking sport and the Olympic spirit out to rural areas - like now as we are in a car-park in Chatteris.

“This town is a great example - literally taking sport to people’s doorsteps.”

Mr Ballard was joined by Councillor Alan Melton, leader of Fenland District Council, Verity Allen, Youth Activities Co-ordinator and teenage boxing sensation Jordan Gill, the Clubs for Young People British Champion.

Cllr Melton said: “This project will hopefully create role models for other youngsters in the area and raise their aspirations.

“Jordan is a great example of a young athlete who is already achieving huge success in his sport. Some people of his age say there’s nothing to do and nothing’s provided for them. That is a complete fallacy and Jordan is living proof of that.”

Gill said: “I fell into boxing really - I’ve been in the gym since I was about three years old. Schemes like this are going to help people develop in their sports.”

To apply for Fenland Sports Stars of the Future please visit: www.fenland.gov.uk/sportstars

As well as free use of council sport facilities the winners’ achievements will also be covered in The Cambs Times/Wisbech Standard as a way of supporting their careers.

Entrants must be aged 14-18 and should be affiliated to a professional club or have played at a regional or national level. Written evidence from the club or sports body may need to be produced.

Miss Allen said: “We’re now hoping that as many people as possible get involved in this exciting project.

“We are really hoping to make a difference to young athletes in this area and continue that legacy past 2012.”