SIDCUP skier Aaron Tipping has been handed sponsorship on the back of London's successful Olympic bid.

The 15-year-old, who is a member of the British Youth Ski Team, will be part of a new government funded Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) 2012.

Aaron is one of only 120 athletes from across Great Britain, between the ages of 11 and 24, who will be helped to fulfil their sporting potential to the tune of £10,000.

The pupil of Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School, who is ranked second in the UK and is the current Czech Republic National Champion, said: "You can't believe how much this funding will help.

"I have to train and study in France during the winter months which is really expensive, this award will let me get the coaching and training I need to compete with the Alpine nations."

Together with his parents, Geoff and Sandra, Aaron was invited to Nottingham University to meet other athletes on the 2012 scheme as well as past Olympians and representatives from the British Olympic Association and the English Institute of Sport.

Aaron, who lives on Rowley Avenue, said: "The day was really amazing.

"We met Leon Taylor, the British Olympic Diving Silver medallist, watched the Olympic Bid videos for the 2012 games and met other young and talented people who are all hoping to reach the winter Olympics in 2010 as well as the summer games."

As one of only six athletes selected for the British Youth Ski Team and as a member of the England Alpine Ski Team, Aaron starts his winter season at the end of November when he gets in some valuable pre-season training before racing in Canada in December and racing in Europe throughout January.

Having moved up to the junior age group this season, Canada will be Aaron's first taste of racing in the older age group and for the chance of world ranking points.

Training in Canada is a big expense and Frontier-Ski, a Canadian ski tour operator based in Sydenham, will be sponsoring flights and accommodation.

Aaron also wants to thank other sponsors including Parkwood Leisure, for the invaluable use of their gymnasiums, Blackmore Heath Insurance Brokers in Sittingbourne for financing his October training and SnowSport GB for nominating him for the TASS 2012 scholarship.