Brunel University is home to one of the four UK Athletics High Performance Athletics Centres and the South East Jump Squad is currently one of the strongest in the UK.

Wright, 15, has had a promising first season in the under-17 age group, representing Oxfordshire in the triple jump at the English Schools Championship at Gateshead and competing in the English National Championships in Birmingham in August.

This came on top of his success in the 100m, 200m and long jump at the County Championships and being awarded the Mavis Toomey Award for under-17 men, whose former winners include Oxford's triple jumper Nathan Douglas.

Bicester Athletic Club chairman Steve Flynn said: "We are reaping the rewards of the recent investment in our training facilities at Bicester Community College following our lottery funding win.

"The club has strength in depth throughout the age groups and James is one of many promising athletes benefiting from better training opportunities and quality coaching.

"We are a community club and this is an example of us helping the young people of Bicester realise their potential."

Mike Burrell, Bicester's jumps coach, who has coached several international athletes in his career said: "James had done extremely well in his first year at under-17 level. This extra training will provide a welcome boost for him and add some polish to raw talent. I will be attending all the training sessions as well, so I can use the experience to help Bicester Club athletes."

Brackley and District Running Club member Jane Wood enjoyed success in a race while on holiday in Florida. She clocked 25 mins 15 secs to win the ladies master class in the augural Space Coast 5k run. Her effort was all the more praiseworthy as the race was run in 85 degrees' heat.

Two of the founders of the Brackley Running Club, Andy Howe and Darren Long, are heading across the Atlantic to compete in the Chicago Marathon this Sunday, October 12. Both men are accomplished marathon runners, with Chicago being Howe's 12th marathon and Long's fourth.

For more sports news and results, see this week's Advertiser & Review