Six new athletes have joined the Tees Active Sports Academy and were welcomed by Tees Active Sports Academy Champion Dame Tanni Grey Thompson in a ceremony recently.

The academy now consists of 34 athletes training in 11 different sports and is developing further, with Teeside Sports Injury Centre opening a satellite site at Billingham Forum last month.

Dame Tanni said: “I am personally delighted that Tees Active, through the establishment of Tees Active Sports Academy, is creating a support structure to help talented local athletes realise their full sporting potential.

“I fully support this exciting initiative, which I believe will make a big difference on producing our future champions.”

The new academy members are Andrew Fletcher (rugby), Michael Duffield (figure skating), Heidi Kilty, Ben Patterson, James Cass and Andrew Wiles (athletics) and ice hockey player James Mountrey.

They join the likes of Jessica Dickons, who won gold and silver and Jemma Lowe who won two silvers at the European Junior Swimming Championships and Richard Kilty who won the English Schools 100m Championships.

Tees Active is currently seeking a sponsor for the academy. Details: www.teesactive.co.uk