THREE budding athletes studying at the University of Derby have received sports bursaries to help them with their courses.

Boxer Tilly Anthony and freestyle kayaker Josh Gosling have been awarded £400 each from the new Team Derby Fund, set up this academic year by the University to support its talented athletes.

A third student, tae-kwon-do martial artist Sam Rush, has been awarded £200.

The funding will subsidise travel and equipment costs as the athletes aim to break into their respective national squads.

Tilly, 18, of Oakwood, in Derby, is a first year BSc (Hons) sport and exercise studies student who is hoping to make the 2012 GB Olympic Squad later this spring.

She said: "It is great to be awarded the money, which will help fulfil my chances of making the Olympic squad."

Josh, a sports and exercise studies student, is hoping to make the GB freestyle team for the 2011 World Championships in Germany.

The 20-year-old, of Nottingham, has already been selected for this year's European Championships in Austria.

Sam, 24, of Briar Close, Buxton, who is preparing for trials next week with the GB Olympic Squad, has been English Open Champion and an open champion in other countries including Ireland and Holland.

He said: "The funding is a welcome boost. I have had to turn down invitations to fight abroad in some tournaments due to the costs involved."