Elliott Prendergast, 16, will represent the South West in the 4 x 100m relay team at the event, which is taking place in Sheffield this September.
The Fairfield High School pupil, from Stapleton, was spotted by Olympic gold medallist Jason Gardener at the 2009 Bristol Festival of School Sport, a three-day event for local schools organised by the University and partner organisations to celebrate sports participation and achievement at all levels.
Jason singled Elliott out for his natural sprint technique, which led to him joining Yate Athletics Club and gaining support from RELAYS [Regional Educational Legacy for Arts and Youth Sport], a project which is delivered through universities and cultural organisations in the South West to inspire young people to take part in sport.
RELAYS and Bristol University are giving Elliott £1,000 worth of support in 2011/12 to help with physiotherapy and sports psychology, competition and training expenses, as well as new kit.
Robbie Fox, the University of Bristol’s RELAYS Coordinator, said: “To see the growth in Elliott is amazing. His journey up until now has been superb, not to mention how much the future could still hold for him.”
The University of Bristol is one of 11 universities involved in RELAYS throughout the region, resulting in the University making a big contribution and impact on community sport and helping to unearth grassroots talent for the future.
Elliott said: “I believe I have a bright future in sprinting and that if I stick at it I will hopefully go far.
“I believe this sponsorship will give me the extra support I need in order to keep on working hard and pushing to reach the top. To be recognised by RELAYS and have them believe in me is great."