THE international sports career of a York teenager is under pressure because of cost.

York Canoe Club member Sam Ellis made a brilliant debut at top level when he competed recently in the world freestyle kayak championships in the Spanish Pyrenees.

The 15-year-old's performance there has earned him selection in the British squad for the European Championships in Switzerland - but he has to find all his own travel and accommodation expenses and is desperate for financial help.

His parents found the money to pay for the trip to Spain and are investigating every avenue of possible grant aid, but are hoping to attract assistance from a sponsor for Sam.

The British Canoe Union can't pay for expenses to competitions and as freestyle kayak is not an Olympic event it doesn't qualify for Sports Council aid.

Sam, a pupil at Canon Lee School, is eager to find a part-time job but isn't able to work at weekends because that is when he trains or takes part in competitions.

He finished 17th in the junior kayak freestyle event at the world championships and third in the British junior men's under-18 team performances.

Freestyle kayak involves completing tricky manoeuvres within a limited space of water.

His training is done at Tees Barrage and at the national watersports centre at Holmepierrepont, Nottingham. His kayaks, wet suits and other equipment, have been supplied free to him by specialist company PQK, of Matlock, who have also offered him temporary employment for a short period this summer.

The biggest hurdle he needs to overcome is finding the cost of travel and accommodation expenses for his next big date, the European Championships on August 24 and 25. He can be contacted by writing to Sam Ellis, 47 Reighton Avenue, York Y030 5QS.

Sam's York Canoe Club-mate Lowri Davis, 16, from Clifton, and Malton and Norton CC member Paula Floyd also competed at the world championships but did not reach the later stages of their events.

Updated: 13:21 Thursday, July 26, 2001