A TEENAGE sports hopeful has earned a welcome boost for his chances of international stardom.

Steven O'Neil, from Sidcup, is a pupil at BETHS school in Bexley Village and is already a county level swimmer. He trains with Bromley Swimming Club and has just won £500 sponsorship from a new health club in Bromley.

Steven is just one second off the national 100m backstroke qualifying time of 1:03min. He said: "I am trying to work something with my coach so I can spend as much time as possible down at the club training. He's putting together a routine I can go through without him."

Steven will compete in his club championships in December and the Kent championships in March.

Also sponsored was Dawn Wilson, a Bromley athlete.

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