Richmond rower Thea Vukasinovic has been fast-tracked as a future British Olympian after being handpicked to join the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes initiative.

The 18-year-old Lady Eleanor Holles School pupil will receive a cash injection of £1,000 towards training and competing and is one of only 262 up-and-coming athletes selected from across England and Wales.

Vukasinovic attended the launch of the scheme at Loughborough University last week, where she rubbed shoulders with Olympic triple jump champion and world record holder Jonathan Edwards.

And Vukasinovic – who has already demonstrated her talents by winning a silver and two bronzes at the European Championships – admitted her selection on the scheme will be just the springboard she needs to reach this summer’s World Junior Championships at the London 2012 Olympic venue at Eton Dorney.

“The financial side is useful with all the camps abroad and all of our trials are residential so you can incur quite a few costs,” said Vukasinovic.

“I’ve just been selected for the Munich Junior International Regatta which was one of the goals for this year, so that is very exciting for me.

“After that I’m hoping to get selected for the World Junior Championships which are being held at the Olympic venue at Lake Dorney.

“I went to the European Championships in Hazewinkel in Belgium and I won a silver medal in the women’s eight and two bronzes in the women’s four.

“It was great to go away like that and to get to meet everyone so it was a brilliant experience for me.”

In partnership with SportsAid, the Lloyds TSB, as part of Lloyds Banking Group, initiative is designed to ensure more talent reaches the top of their sport.

And Edwards, a former world, European and Commonwealth champion, believes Vukasinovic’s selection on the scheme will see her deliver on her impressive potential.

“The concept of the scheme is fantastic because it’s helping people out at a really crucial stage of their athletic career when there is not a lot of funding or support,” said Edwards.

“You get the financial help which is crucial but there is also the practical side and hearing about the reality of what a lifetime in sport can be like. Being at the workshops and seeing the athletes was incredible.

“They were really exciting to meet because they are really passionate about what they do and you do just think that people like Thea are the talented future without doubt.”

* Lloyds TSB Local Heroes, in partnership with SportsAid, provides support and funding to 344 emerging athletes all the way to London 2012 and beyond. Follow the future stars of TeamGB and ParalympicsGB at: www.lloydstsb.com/localheroes