Teenager Oliver Scott’s hard work is continuing to pay dividends.

Faversham’s Scott has now progressed further on the British Paratriathlon talent pathway programme.

The 14-year-old, born as a lower left-arm amputee, last year was put on a one-year confirmation pathway but he now has moved on to the four-year academy.

“It’s just sort of continuing support, really, just recognition of his hard work and commitment,” said dad Joe.

“Funding wise, I don’t think he’s eligible until he’s 16 but they [his coaches] are the experts in the sport so it’s good to have those people on the end of the telephone.”

The Canterbury Academy student has also been assisted by the Canterbury Bike Project who have got Scott a new bike - modified specifically for Scott’s needs - while he should have a new prosthetic arm.

Joe said: “The stuff Canterbury Bike Project are doing is brilliant. They have been really supportive.

“He has got this new bike.

"It’s going to take him a little bit of time to get used to, [but] the new bike will be more reliable than what he has used.”

Scott wants to be busy this month and he hopes to compete at his first para triathlon at Eton Dorney having, so far, only come up against able-bodied athletes.

His father stated: “Because there’s not many paras around, Ollie is always coming up against able-bodied kids. He’s doing well, even against able-bodied people.

“He’s, usually, in the top third.

"He’s certainly not disgracing himself.”

But for Scott, who is with MedwayTri having previously been with Invicta East Kent, it has not been easy to commit to training and the travelling while also focusing on his studies.

Joe explained: “So far, so good. I’m not going to lie, it’s tough.

“He doesn’t have a lot of spare time to be honest but he makes the most of it. It’s tough and it’s only going to get tougher.

“He’s in Year 9 and so he has two big years coming up. We spend a lot of time on the road, ferrying him here, there and everywhere.

"It’s a big commitment with the cost of fuel but we just do what we can.

“But in Kent, there’s nowhere like it. They have such a good set-up there so we just have to commit, really. But sometimes me and my wife are like ships passing in the wind!”

And Joe hopes his son’s story will help inspire other Paralympic athletes to give sport a go.

“It might get others thinking about it or they might not be aware of the opportunities,” he said.

“Paralympics, in general, is getting bigger and bigger each year but it’s got a lot of catching up to do on the able-bodied Olympics and football and stuff like that.”

Scott will turn 15 in February and won the Shorne Woods parkrun on New Year’s Day.