Pitching In SportsAid Partnership

Wheelchair fencing star Abigail Marshall hopes to battle her way to international glory after soaring to elite level status on the Great Britain squad.

Marshall is in her final week of A-Levels at Magdalen College School in Brackley, with hopes to go to Loughborough University in September to study Physics.

She has high hopes for the university experience and believes the move will be integral to her burgeoning sporting development. Marshall, 18, said: “Firstly, with the fencing, it’s a very sporty university and I’ve had a look on what they do with the fencing and they train almost every day of the week, which I’m really looking forward to.

“There’s not really that many wheelchair fencing competitions in the UK. I’m not sure if there’s any at all besides nationals. “I was supposed to go to Thailand for the first international competition, but it was cancelled due to Covid.

“I was quite disappointed with that, but I’m hoping there will be more in the future.

“I try not to put too much pressure on myself or think about the future too much. I really want to compete internationally and get as far as I can.
“I haven’t thought too much about the Paralympics, but obviously it would be amazing to go. It would be very cool.”

Marshall’s fencing career is financially supported by a partnership between Entain – owner of Ladbrokes and Coral – and SportsAid, set up in 2019 and part of the company’s innovative Pitching In initiative.

And the sustained assistance helps her access funding for training, travel, equipment and mentoring as she bids to reach the summit.

Marshall also has the support of her coach, Baldip Sahota, who was one of the first Indian fencers to compete with the Great Britain Under-20 squad at home and as an international.

Under his guidance, Marshall managed two bronze medals at the British Fencing Nationals last year in the foil and epee events – only three years after becoming disabled due to her leg and hip deformities – and in January this year, was promoted to the elite level of the Great Britain wheelchair fencing team.

Marshall does not let her disability define her and takes inspiration from racing driver Billy Monger – who had to have the lower parts of his legs amputated after a life-threatening collision.

“Billy Monger is very inspirational to me,” she added. “I think it’s the way that after he lost his legs, he just got on with it and decided he wanted to keep racing despite everything.

“He just did it without any complaints and didn’t let it affect him too much. He’s such a positive person and I take inspiration from that and try and keep positive too.

“Fencing has been really great to keep me active and positive. It can be hard sometimes, but I just really enjoy fencing and it’s something I’m good at.”

Pink Addidas rugby boots proved the perfect use of Entain Holdings and SportsAid’s funding for rugby union star Alex Baker.

The 18-year-old plays for Loughborough Lightning and has also got a taste of the bright international lights through England Under-20s, currently brushing shoulders with Red Rose stars Emily Scarratt and Sarah Hunter at her club’s training.

Tyrrells Premier 15s side Lightning wear pink – and fly-half Baker wasted no time in investing in new footwear to match when Entain and SportsAid came calling.

“It’s massively helped – I’ve been able to buy a new pair of pink adidas boots that match the Loughborough Lightning kit!” said Baker, a beneficiary of Entain’s programme which is part of the Pitching In initiative and supported by Paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompson.

“It will also definitely help with travel, and nutrition – if we do manage to get down to some camps with England Under-20s it will help with petrol money.

“It really does give you an extra drive to know that there’s not just you, but there are other people behind you and supporting you as well.”

Entain announced a three-year partnership with SportsAid last year to help young athletes realise their potential and promote grassroots sport.

The investment will provide funding for training, travel and equipment and allow athletes access to mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

Baker possesses World Cup aspirations for England and hopes the impact of Entain and SportsAid’s support can propel her to the greatest heights of all.

“I hope SportsAid’s funding can help me break into the England setup and achieve my long-term goals,” added Baker, who is following in the footsteps of recent SportsAid athletes Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Peaty MBE.

“The work that’s being put in now and the support I’m getting will help me be where I want to be in the next few years.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Financial support from Entain Holdings and SportsAid could be the key ingredient in helping Aliyah Zaranyika achieve her international netball ambitions, according to the Saracens Mavericks rising star.

The 18-year-old is a recent recipient of the award, with the two bodies having partnered up in a three-year agreement in 2019, aiming to help young athletes across the UK realise their potential.

Zaranyika – who has recently enrolled on a law and politics degree at Royal Holloway University – enjoyed a breakthrough start to 2020, being selected for the England Roses Academy programme in January before making her senior Saracens Mavericks debut weeks later.

And the Enfield-based athlete – who can play either goal defence or wing defence – believes the injection of funding will enable her to remain on track to establish herself in the Superleague, and go on to achieve full international honours.

“I started receiving the funding in April and it’s definitely made a huge difference already,” said Zaranyika, one of 50 beneficiaries of Entain’s programme which is part of the Pitching In initiative.

“I’ve been able to buy new trainers, new kit for training and equipment to train at home, so it’s allowed me to stay at the top of my game in the current climate in which there is still a lot of uncertainty because of the impact of coronavirus.

“I wouldn’t have been able to stay at my current level without it, and going forward it’s going to make a massive difference in enabling me to afford things like travel and accommodation, especially now that I’ve moved to university.”

As well as funding for training, travel and equipment, athletes on the SportsAid programme receive valuable mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

The young athletes will be following in the footsteps of legendary figures such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah, Dame Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds OBE – all of whom received SportsAid support – and more recent beneficiaries including Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Peaty MBE.

And despite being relatively new to the initiative, Zaranyika is confident the wide-ranging benefits of the scheme will stand her in good stead as she ultimately aims to replicate the successes of netball hero Sasha Corbin at the top of the game.

She said: “Besides the financial help, receiving recognition from SportsAid has definitely improved my confidence as an athlete because it shows they have belief in me.

“Some of the people who have received funding before are up there with the biggest names in British sport, so it makes you think that you can go on and do the same.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Andrew Nicholson’s insight is catapulting Annabel Carthy’s equestrian career to a new level – but the riding star says that would not have been possible without Entain Holdings and SportsAid’s support.

Wilmslow’s Carthy is currently taking part in an intensive 12-week programme under the former world champion’s auspices in Marlborough, Wiltshire.

Nicholson captured a hat-trick of Olympic medals between 1992 and 2012 and a ‘starstruck’ Carthy admits the opportunity would have never materialised without Entain and SportsAid’s influence.

“I’ve always looked up to Andrew which is why being here is still surreal,” said the 20-year-old, a beneficiary of Entain’s programme which is part of the Pitching In initiative.

“I’m still starstruck six weeks in every time I see him – I’m trotting around and he’s on one of his horses and I’m like ‘wow, this is crazy!’

“The funding has enabled me to come here and get the absolute maximum out of the experience – I’ve not got to worry about money, and I can take everything I can from it.”

Supported by Paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompson, Entain announced a three-year partnership with SportsAid last year to help young athletes realise their potential and promote grassroots sport.

And the investment will provide funding for training, travel and equipment and allow athletes access to mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

Equestrian is a sport where communication is fundamental – and Carthy believes the opportunities enabled by Entain and SportsAid are invaluable in enhancing her skills away from the saddle.

“The interview advice SportsAid provide is really important – I’ve learned some skills to be more confident and think about what I say more,” added Carthy, who is following in the footsteps of current stars Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Peaty MBE in receiving SportsAid support.

“With horses, you have to talk to owners, and if you can talk well to someone about you and your passion it’s going to make them a lot more likely to support you.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Javelin starlet Bethany Moule says SportsAid funding has been a vital part of her continued progress as an athlete.

The 18-year-old is a beneficiary of Entain Holdings’ three-year partnership with SportsAid, helping young athletes across the UK realise their potential.

Given the expense of buying and transporting javelin poles across Europe, Moule is beyond grateful for the financial assistance proffered by the partnership.

“Having SportsAid funding there is massively helpful,” said the Neath-born star.

“Javelins cost more than 600 pounds and it’s been a massive help to know that you don’t have to worry about the cost of them.

“I would have struggled if the money hadn’t been there to afford flights and accommodation in the various places I compete in.

“It paid for my hotel when I went to Manchester last month for the British Championships, where I threw a personal best. It’s been so important for me.”

Athletes get funding for training, travel and equipment, as well as mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

The young athletes will be following in the footsteps of legendary figures such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah, Dame Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds OBE – all of whom received SportsAid support – and more recent beneficiaries including Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Peaty MBE

The initiative is part of Entain’s Pitching In, a major new multi-million-pound investment programme designed to support and promote grassroots sports.

Moule added: “As well as the money you get a confidence boost as an athlete for knowing that SportsAid are supporting you.

“It gives you an extra bit of belief that you’re doing the right thing and security that they care about how you’re doing.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Basketball star Blake Bowman says Entain Holdings and SportsAid’s support will make him successful when his days shooting hoops come to an end.

The 18-year-old was crowned MVP in the Elite Academy Basketball League after a thrilling season for Derby Trailblazers, where he scored the second highest number of points in the league’s history.

The sky is the limit for his career but Bowman believes the mentoring SportsAid provide is just as important as the financial investment.

“Let’s say I retire at 32, I still have so much longer of my life to live and it’s not all about basketball,” said Bowman, one of 50 beneficiaries of Entain’s programme which is part of the Pitching In initiative.

“Being a well-rounded individual is more important than the sport itself – basketball is going to stop at one point, so I’m going to have to have different skills I can use in life to help me get by.

“That’s all more important than basketball itself – at the end of the day, the ball’s going to stop bouncing.”

Supported by Paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompson, Entain announced a three-year partnership with SportsAid last year to help young athletes realise their potential and promote grassroots sport.

The investment will provide funding for training, travel and equipment and allow athletes access to mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

In receiving SportsAid support Bowman is following in the footsteps of Sir Mo Farah, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Dame Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds OBE – and Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Peaty MBE more recently – who all treaded the same pathway.

Entain and SportsAid’s support provides a welcome confidence boost for young athletes and Bowman reckons that, coupled his new basketball boots, can take him all the way to the summit.

“The money helped me buy new basketball shoes as they’re quite expensive!” he added.

“And the support really helps me understand that I have quite a bit of responsibility, so it pushes me further to do more and motivates me more.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Enatin are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Having made a habit of proving people wrong en route to international success, rising dressage star Caitlin Burgess is determined to stick to her guns in pursuit of her Olympic dream.

The Ilfracombe native has lost count of the number of times she’s been advised to part company with horse Chocotof, with Burgess initially struggling to get the best out of the now 14-year-old after pairing up with him in 2015.

Burgess herself admits she sometimes wonders why she persisted with him, but her unwavering commitment eventually paid dividends and the duo’s clean sweep of success at May’s Wellington CDI added to a record that previously stood at 11 podium finishes in 15 international starts.

Never short of self-belief, 20-year-old Burgess – who got her first equestrian fix on her fourth birthday – is now dreaming of progressing through the Young Riders ranks and emulating London 2012 heroes Carl Hester, Charlotte Dujardin and Laura Bechtolsheimer on the senior stage.
“One particular moment stands out in my mind when a trainer came up to me at a competition and told me I’d never achieve anything with Chocotof,” she said.

“We’ve beaten that trainer a few times since, which makes me quite happy. I always saw his potential but he had lots of injuries, and people thought he was dangerous and naughty.
“In my head I always had a plan of what I wanted to do but I tended to keep it to myself. He’s completely transformed and he just seems to get better and better.

“Watching the dressage team at London 2012 inspired me to commit to dressage, and get to the top. It has been a lot of hard work but it’s paying off and hopefully I can continue to be successful with Chocotof going forward into the Under-25s category.”

Burgess’ fledgling dressage career is powered by a partnership between Entain – owner of Ladbrokes and Coral – and SportsAid, which provides vital funding for training, travel, equipment and access to mentoring.
After completing her GCSE studies at Pilton Community College in Barnstaple, Burgess spent two years learning her trade at the Talland School of Equitation in Cirencester, while she has recently moved to a new yard in Devizes, Wiltshire.

And though the Covid-19 pandemic has restricted her opportunities in the competition arena the 2020 National Young Rider Championship winner is focused on a tilt at this summer’s European Championships – and bringing on Chocotof’s successors with one eye on the future.

She added: “I’ve actually moved yards twice since the first outbreak of Covid-19. Competitions have been affected but I’ve been training well all the way through lockdown.

“We’ve narrowly missed out on the Europeans before, so that’s the big aim now. The show in Wellington was one of the qualification events, so hopefully I can get over the line in terms of selection.
“Competitions like the Olympics will be big goals of mine looking ahead, but not on my current horse. I have a few youngsters who are looking good, so hopefully the future can remain bright.”

Callum Hall believes funding from Entain Holdings and SportsAid will allow him to continue improving as he prepares for his first season on the elite World Marathon Series circuit.

Hall, from Leeds, is one of 50 beneficiaries of the three-year partnership which helps cover the costs of training, travel and equipment – which can be particularly costly in wheelchair racing.

“I don’t think many people realise how much that funding helps,” Hall said.

“An equipment-based sport is expensive, especially when the chairs are specialist. The money really helps towards the equipment and the maintenance. It’s an expensive sport so the funding really does make a difference.

“On top of that, you have international travel costs – if you are racing on the far side of Asia, for example, it comes in very useful.”

The initiative, part of Entain’s Pitching In, was launched in 2019 with the support of a British wheelchair racing legend, Baroness Grey-Thompson.

And Hall, who was paralysed as a result of an abscess on the spine caused by stepping on a sea urchin while on holiday in 2012, has seen the benefit of SportsAid funding particularly close to home.

“My wife (Paralympian and 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jade Jones-Hall) has come through similar programmes so I understand how it does help,” he said.

“It gives you hope for years down the line. When they benefit specific athletes you look up to, you realise how good the schemes are.”

One of those athletes is David Weir, another member of the glittering SportsAid alumni who became an icon with his performances at London 2012.

“To win three track events and the marathon is insane – the guy is a machine,” Hall said.

“I race him on the road and he’s a nice guy who is happy to give tips. He’s a great advocate for the sport.”

An excellent 2019, including a fourth-placed finish at the Paris Marathon and a 1:32:49 personal best in Seoul, helped Hall win the right to represent Great Britain at the World Marathon Majors.

He begins his journey as part of the elite circuit at the London Marathon on October 4 and the former Leeds City Athletics Club member is relishing the chance to return to competitive action.

“It’s a great opportunity to try and keep up with 15 of the best in the world,” Hall said.

“I’ll give it my best shot and see what happens – it’s a chance to race again so I’m looking forward to it.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Great Britain sprinting prospect Charlie Dobson is looking forward to his second year of support from Entain Holdings and SportsAid having felt the benefit of being part of the inaugural intake.

The three-year partnership, which helps young athletes across the UK fulfil their potential, was launched in 2019 with the support of Paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompson.

The initiative provides funding for training and travel, which Dobson has able to take advantage of.

“It has really helped me a lot,” said the 20-year-old, who hails from Colchester.

“It covered quite a lot of my warm weather training when I went to Portugal last year.

“It allowed me to go out with my group and get a really good couple of weeks of training in.”

The programme is part of Entain’s Pitching In, a major new multi-million-pound investment to support and promote grassroots sport, and will allow athletes to access mentoring from Olympians and Paralympians on topics including nutrition – the importance of which is apparent to Dobson.

“This year I’ll be using the funding for food, too,” he said.

“Eating healthily can be quite expensive so I’ll use it for that and save a bit for the next warm weather training, whenever we can go.”

Dobson is currently studying Aeronautical Engineering at Loughborough University, for whom he was representing when he set a new BUCS Championships record of 6.64 seconds in the indoor 60m in February.

Lockdown put paid to the majority of the outdoor season but Dobson was able to compete in competitions towards the end of the summer and shone in his first ever 400m, recording the second fastest time in the country this year.

“I am now targeting Olympic relay teams in the 4x400m – my time would have put me fourth last year,” he said.

“It is a nice position to be in – having 60m for indoors and 200m and 400m for outdoors.”

Dobson cited Super Saturday at the London 2012 Olympics as his inspiration for kicking on with athletics and Team GB’s three gold medal winners on that famous evening – Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Greg Rutherford MBE and Sir Mo Farah – each benefited from SportsAid support on their respective journeys.

“It’s pretty cool to be a part of that,” said Dobson, who won silver in the 200m at the 2018 Under-20 World Championships.

“SportsAid have helped a lot of quality athletes and they help with the transition from juniors to seniors really well.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Hammer hero Sophie Hitchon’s influence is catapulting throwing hotshot Charlotte Payne on a tantalising Olympic journey.

The Reading ace first started athletics at just six years old and after opting to specialise in hammer, has always looked up to 2016 Rio bronze medallist Hitchon.

Hitchon, 29, set the British national record at those Games in Brazil and Berkshire star Payne says she’s hellbent on following in her footsteps.

Payne, 19, said: “Obviously the Olympics is the pinnacle of our sport so it’s the ultimate dream for myself and many other athletes.

“I would also love to compete at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next year. That’s a big goal as I would be one of the youngest female throwers to ever go but I’m working hard to reach it.

“Competing for Great Britain is always an honour and it’s something I dreamed about since I started.”

Payne has already donned the GB vest, competing in the Under-20 European Championships in 2019 and finishing in seventh-place.

She also claimed a silver medal in the hammer with a mark of 63.92m at the Müller British Athletics Championships last September, moving to second in the UK all-time Under-20 rankings behind Hitchon.

Payne’s throwing career is financially supported by a partnership between Entain – owner of Ladbrokes and Coral – and SportsAid, set up in 2019 and part of the company’s innovative Pitching In initiative.

The sustained assistance helps her access funding for training, travel, equipment and mentoring as she bids to emulate Hitchon and scale the Olympic heights.

Payne also has the support of her coach, Paul Dickenson – who has competed in a pair of Olympic and Commonwealth Games – and was also selected to be part of the Olympic Futures Academy Programme late last year.

She added: “I have loved being a part of the Olympic Futures Programme.
“Although most of it has been virtual so far, having a dedicated mentor working with you and helping you to strengthen the weak areas of your training has been so beneficial.
“It just helps you to become more aware of everything you do in your sport and live a more athletic lifestyle.

“Also being a part of a programme alongside so many world record holders and international champions is so motivating and inspirational.

“I knew of Paul [coach] as one of the best hammer throwing coaches in the country and he had coached so many athletes to an amazing level.

“He is actually my sporting hero. I wish I can achieve as much as he has.”

Payne was also diagnosed as being profoundly deaf when she was just three years old and is now the first deaf person to be selected for the Great Britain athletics team.

And she said: “A lot of my competitors still don’t even know [that I am deaf].

“It just shows that being deaf doesn’t have to stop you from competing and excelling in sport.

“SportsAid is incredibly helpful as it helps me to invest in equipment for my sport. The funding will go towards a new hammer for competition as well as new rotationals to help me get faster and achieve bigger distances.”

Having got up close and personal with Great Britain’s biggest swimming stars, Solihull star Charlotte Rigg has high hopes of joining them in Birmingham next year.

The 19-year-old swimmer, who turns out for club sides Blythe Barracudas and City of Birmingham as well as for the West Midlands, has made waves at local, regional and county level in her short career – breaking a number of junior and even senior records along the way.

And the 200m breaststroke ace then went on to represent GB at European and World Junior Championship-level.

But, her biggest step came recently when competing alongside Olympic legends and medal hopes alike at the British Swimming Selection Trials – an experience she believes can aid her development as she targets appearing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“That was a great experience – it was really hard after Covid with limited training and access to the pool but I’ve learnt a lot from it. The last time I competed before this was March 2020,” Rigg said.

“You can use the swimmers around you to your advantage as a marker of where you need to be in a couple of years’ time.

“It was a great environment and it’s great to watch them race after so many months out of the pool, seeing how they handled it and handled racing.

“A home Commonwealths is pretty special but a home, home Commonwealths for me would be pretty awesome.

“That’s a mid-term goal for me but I’m just looking at the bigger picture. For me, the Olympics in four years’ time and not just focusing on the Commonwealths, but that would be a great step on the journey for me.”

Rigg’s career in the pool is fuelled by a partnership between Entain – owner of Ladbrokes and Coral – and SportsAid which provides vital funding for training, travel, equipment and access to mentoring.

The investment is supported by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and is helping push the young star along as she bids to emulate her hero Rebecca Adlington in earning Olympic glory down the line.

It has been a rapid journey for Rigg from her beginnings in the sport, learning to swim as a life skill at the age of five to training six times a week and competing on the world stage.

But, she wouldn’t trade it for anything and thrives off the competition with the step up to senior level now in her sights.

“I remember watching her [Adlington] in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics when I was younger,” she added.

“She was the first British female swimmer to win two Olympic golds at a Games for 100 years and then obviously followed it up in London four years later. She was so inspiring.

“Now that I’m transitioning between junior and senior level, it’s a massive step up. But I’m just trying to get some more experience.”

Having moved away from home for the first time, athletics star Charlotte Williams believes the financial support of Entain Holdings and SportsAid could be the key ingredient in helping her achieving her Olympic ambitions.

The 19-year-old hammer thrower is a recent recipient of the award, with the two bodies having partnered up in a three-year agreement in 2019, aiming to help young athletes across the UK realise their potential.

Williams recently enrolled on a kinesiology degree at the University of Georgia in the United States, approximately 4,000 miles from her mum and dad, and hometown, Clitheroe.

And while the former Burnley College student is confident she now has access to the coaching and facilities to help her get to the top, she insists the scheme’s monetary boost will play a key part in her attempt to eventually emulate fellow Brit Sophie Hitchon, who won bronze at the 2016 Rio Games.

“As I’m getting older, it’s nice to not have to rely on my parents to have to pay for everything all the time,” said Williams, one of 50 beneficiaries of Entain’s programme which is part of the Pitching In initiative.

“It’s up to us to pay for all the little competitions we go to every weekend, all of the accommodation that comes with that and all of the equipment as well, so the extra funding is absolutely vital.

“Even just ensuring that my hammer is fully intact can make such a huge difference, so I’m really grateful to be part of the SportsAid programme and I think it’s going to play a huge part in my progression in the sport.”

As well as funding for training, travel and equipment, athletes on the SportsAid programme receive valuable mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

The young athletes will be following in the footsteps of legendary figures such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah, Dame Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds OBE – all of whom received SportsAid support – and more recent beneficiaries including Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Peaty MBE.

Williams said: “Being recognised by the likes of SportsAid and Entain is huge for athletes like me from a mental point of you as well, because it means someone has identified you as having potential and are worth backing, which is really motivating.

“When you mention SportsAid people instantly know what you’re talking about and some of the great names they’ve helped. That also pushes you forward and is a big inspiration for me to try and achieve some of the things those guys before me have done.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Cheyanne Evans-Gray is delighted to be “mingling with the next set of greats” through her place on a SportsAid and Entain Holdings initiative which helps young athletes achieve their potential.

Evans-Gray, a 22-year-old sprinter from Croydon, is part of the latest cohort of 50 sportspeople who will receive funding to help cover training, travel and equipment, as well as mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

And the Olympic hopeful has already felt the benefit of being part of the programme.

“I was having lower back pains recently and the funding has allowed me to see a chiropractor, who is really helping me fix my posture,” she said.

“Those corrections will help my running, and the money is also going towards physio, supplements I need and kit.”

Team GB stars such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and Sir Mo Farah are among the stellar cast of names to have received SportsAid support in the past – along with one of Evans-Gray’s role models.

“I remember watching Dina Asher-Smith in Rio, which was amazing,” Evans-Gray said.

“For her to get to an Olympic final and perform so well was really inspiring and a game-changer for British sprinting.

“It’s a bit surreal seeing my name there (on SportsAid’s alumni) but it’s a special feeling. It feels like I’m mingling among the next set of greats.”

The initiative is part of multi-million-pound grassroots sport investment programme Pitching In, established by Entain – where Evans-Gray has a unique day-to-day insight.

“I am a customer service manager at Ladbrokes in Croydon,” explained Evans-Gray, who juggles her work and training commitments with studying Sports Science at the University of East London.

“It keeps me close to all the sports and I love dealing with the customers and having conversations with them.”

Evans-Gray returned to athletics aged 20, having taken several breaks from sprinting growing up, and broke a 13-year British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS) record in February when she stormed to indoor 60m victory in 7.28 seconds.

The coronavirus pandemic denied her the opportunity to build on that performance in the outdoor season but Evans-Gray has not let that dent her ambitions.

“Every athlete’s ultimate goal is to be the best at Olympic level,” she said.

“I would love to go and compete in the Olympics and get on the podium.

“A bit more short-term, I’m looking to compete in the World Championships in 2022. That would be my first big event and I feel I have the potential to get there.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Discus hot prospect Chukwuemeka Osanmor says funding through SportsAid’s partnership with Entain Holdings helped him realise that people do care about his discipline.

The 19-year-old is a beneficiary of Entain’s three-year partnership with SportsAid, helping young athletes across the UK realise their potential.

When lockdown was imposed, Osanmor used his SportsAid grant to source home workout equipment to help maintain his strength, so vital for an emerging thrower.

“It’s very inspiring to know that people are watching,” said the City of Sheffield & Dearne AC athlete.

“I remember thinking there wasn’t that much attention around discus but having SportsAid backing me reminds me that people do have the best intentions for you.

“I’ve grown in confidence in the last few years as I’ve progressed and having the backing of SportsAid has played a big role in that.”

Athletes get funding for training, travel and equipment, as well as mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

The young athletes will be following in the footsteps of legendary figures such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah, Dame Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds OBE – all of whom received SportsAid support – and more recent beneficiaries including Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Peaty MBE

The initiative is part of Entain’s Pitching In, a major new multi-million-pound investment programme designed to support and promote grassroots sports.

“The money helped me a lot to be able to afford weights and equipment during lockdown,” Osanmor said.

“Lockdown was a tough time but being able to do my work and stay in good physical shape helped me deal with it mentally.

“As a thrower you need to have presence and personality and I’m growing in belief all the time.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Tom Pidcock’s trailblazing mountain biking success is inspiring Corran Carrick-Anderson’s pursuit of glory, with the Peebles prospect back in action after an unusually quiet winter.

Lockdowns scuppered the 18-year-old’s plans either side of Christmas but he has returned to competitive racing across Europe in r
ecent weeks, taking in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
The last of those races, in Nove Mesto, saw Pidcock become the first male British rider to earn victory in a World Cup event for 27 years and he did so in style, with a record-breaking winning margin.

Carrick-Anderson finished 11th in the junior event with his best performance of the year so far and Pidcock’s exploits have shown what may be possible if he continues to progress.
“He’s only three or four years older than me – I haven’t raced against him yet but hopefully I might get the chance to soon,” he said.

“It’s cool to see people from Britain being up there and it makes it feel more possible.
“My results have got better as I’ve gone along this year and my best performance was in the last race [in Nove Mesto].

“I had a bad start with a crash but recovered to finish 11th – I should have been fighting for a podium but it’s positive for bigger races to come.

“I normally do a lot of racing over the winter but it was all cancelled, so those were my first races of the season and it was really good to be back out there. You’re part of a team again and everything feels normal.

“I have some more races coming up in Switzerland and Italy then come August-time it’s the European and World Junior Championships.

“It’s all down to selection – anything could happen but right now it’s looking good.”
The teenager has been involved in the sport from an early age and his dad, former Scottish champion Crawford Carrick-Anderson, has been on hand to offer expert guidance throughout.

Carrick-Anderson junior is now receiving further support courtesy of a partnership between SportsAid and Entain, owners of Ladbrokes and Coral, which provides vital funding for training, travel, equipment and access to mentoring.

“I’ve been involved with some [SportsAid] workshops but this is the first funding programme I’ve been part of,” he said.

“It’s cool to be part of it – you see what they’ve done for people before and hopefully I can follow in their footsteps.

“I think I have quite good stepping stones in place to keep improving and ultimately the plan is to race at World Cups as an elite at the top of the sport.”

Leon Taylor’s Zoom classes and elite athletes’ insight is what makes Entain Holdings and SportsAid’s support so special, says para table-tennis star Craig Allen.

The Bromsgrove-based player has soared to international success in his Class 9 category and is targeting a memorable hometown Commonwealth Games appearance in Birmingham in 2022.

That ambition will be fuelled by Entain and SportsAid’s funding and while the financial side of their investment is critical, it’s the wider benefits of the initiative that Allen has relished.

“The work SportsAid did over lockdown was helpful – even though there was no sport going on they still provided me with structure,” said the 25-year-old, a beneficiary of Entain’s programme which is part of the Pitching In initiative.

“They put on interviews with Leon Taylor and other high-profile athletes in sport.

“They were helpful – some of them have been through long-term injuries, similarly to being in lockdown, so they could share those experiences with us and we could make the most out of that.”

Supported by Paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompson, Entain announced a three-year partnership with SportsAid last year to help young athletes realise their potential and promote grassroots sport.

The investment will provide funding for training, travel and equipment and allow athletes access to mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians, as Allen follows in the footsteps of Paralympic stars Dame Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds OBE in receiving SportsAid support.

Allen says that association is special and is confident Entain and SportsAid can propel him all the way to Birmingham 2022.

“It’s incredible to follow in the footsteps, and an honour, to be in a group with those people and to have gone through the same system,” he added.

“You see people who have gone through that system and what they’ve achieved off the back of it – and it makes you aware of what you can possibly achieve as well.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Rising archery star Eleanor Piper says SportsAid funding has literally got her moving again this year and helped her afford to buy a car.

The 18-year-old is a beneficiary of Entain Holdings’ three-year partnership with SportsAid, helping young athletes across the UK realise their potential.

Athletes get funding for training, travel and equipment, as well as mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

Piper has been receiving SportsAid funding for a number of years and she has put her grant towards buying a car, making travel to and from training all the more seamless.

“SportsAid’s been amazing, it’s been a lifesaver for my family,” said the Woking-born youngster.

“It’s been brilliant for me to able to have a car this year and made the journey from work to the training centre so much better.

“It’s hard to imagine what this year would have looked like for me without my car and without SportsAid funding.”

The young athletes will be following in the footsteps of legendary figures such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah, Dame Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds OBE – all of whom received SportsAid support – and more recent beneficiaries including Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Peaty MBE.

The initiative is part of Entain’s Pitching In, a major new multi-million-pound investment programme designed to support and promote grassroots sports.

Piper has trained and competed with sister Louisa, 17, for the entirety of their careers and SportsAid has helped their family deal with the cost of two elite-level competitors.

“The cost of putting two people through the sport is very high,” said Piper.

“SportsAid have always been there for us and they’ve made it so much easier to manage the cost of travelling and staying at international competitions.

“It’s paid off in that we’ve won a few cadet medals together internationally and that’s thanks to SportsAid’s help.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Bury netball stars Ellie Heyes and Emma Rayner are relishing the renewal of their on-court partnership after an absence of almost two years – and have their eyes on further honours with Manchester Thunder and England.

The pair came through the ranks together at YWCA Bury and currently represent Thunder in the Netball Performance League, while both have recently been named in the Roses Academy squad who will meet for monthly performance camps in Loughborough over the summer.
Heyes, 18, has only recently returned to competitive action having seen last year’s comeback from an anterior cruciate ligament injury delayed by various lockdowns and Rayner is delighted to have her teammate back by her side.

“We’ve known each other since we were 10 – and with Thunder, England and the fact we’re both at the same Uni [Manchester Met], it’s like we’re joined at the hip at the moment!” Rayner said.

“It was weird without Ellie. She has been there throughout my netball experiences and we always had a combination between us on court.

“You just have to be there to push her through and help her come out the other end as she has. It’s special to be back on the court together now.”

Heyes, meanwhile, tried her best to use her time on the sidelines wisely and feels her hard work is now paying off.

“I used it as an opportunity to develop other aspects of netball,” she said.
“I improved things like agility, which I wouldn’t have had the time to do while playing all the time, and I tried to use it as a positive rather than a setback.

“It felt a bit weird to play again after so long but it’s brilliant to be back and now I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Thunder have won three Super League titles since 2012 and having been regulars in the stands as youngsters, both Heyes and Rayner have their sights set on contributing to future success.

Their parallel trajectories are set to continue too, with both benefiting from a partnership between SportsAid and Entain – owner of Ladbrokes and Coral – which provides vital funding for training, travel, equipment and access to mentoring.

Fifty promising athletes from a wide range of sports are part of the latest cohort and the funding has given both prospects a valuable boost.

“This is my third year on a SportsAid programme and I’ve loved it so far,” Heyes said.
“The extra sessions online, with the mentoring and advice, has definitely helped and this funding will contribute towards my final bits of rehab and physio, as well as travel.”

Rayner, whose younger sister Katie is part of Thunder’s Under-15 side, added: “It’s nice to see all the other athletes that have been selected and hear their stories.

“When you see what they’ve all been achieving, it’s a massive confidence boost to know you’re on a par with them.

“Ellie and I used to go together to watch Thunder with our families but when you’re younger, you never think you’ll get anywhere close to playing for them.

“To think our parents might be able to watch us playing in the first team – it would mean a lot.”

Bury netball stars Emma Rayner and Ellie Heyes are relishing the renewal of their on-court partnership after an absence of almost two years – and have their eyes on further honours with Manchester Thunder and England.

The pair came through the ranks together at YWCA Bury and currently represent Thunder in the Netball Performance League, while both have recently been named in the Roses Academy squad who will meet for monthly performance camps in Loughborough over the summer.
Heyes, 18, has only recently returned to competitive action having seen last year’s comeback from an anterior cruciate ligament injury delayed by various lockdowns and Rayner is delighted to have her teammate back by her side.

“We’ve known each other since we were 10 – and with Thunder, England and the fact we’re both at the same Uni [Manchester Met], it’s like we’re joined at the hip at the moment!” Rayner said.

“It was weird without Ellie. She has been there throughout my netball experiences and we always had a combination between us on court.

“You just have to be there to push her through and help her come out the other end as she has. It’s special to be back on the court together now.”

Heyes, meanwhile, tried her best to use her time on the sidelines wisely and feels her hard work is now paying off.

“I used it as an opportunity to develop other aspects of netball,” she said.
“I improved things like agility, which I wouldn’t have had the time to do while playing all the time, and I tried to use it as a positive rather than a setback.

“It felt a bit weird to play again after so long but it’s brilliant to be back and now I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Thunder have won three Super League titles since 2012 and having been regulars in the stands as youngsters, both Heyes and Rayner have their sights set on contributing to future success.

Their parallel trajectories are set to continue too, with both benefiting from a partnership between SportsAid and Entain – owner of Ladbrokes and Coral – which provides vital funding for training, travel, equipment and access to mentoring.

Fifty promising athletes from a wide range of sports are part of the latest cohort and the funding has given both prospects a valuable boost.

“This is my third year on a SportsAid programme and I’ve loved it so far,” Heyes said.
“The extra sessions online, with the mentoring and advice, has definitely helped and this funding will contribute towards my final bits of rehab and physio, as well as travel.”

Rayner, whose younger sister Katie is part of Thunder’s Under-15 side, added: “It’s nice to see all the other athletes that have been selected and hear their stories.

“When you see what they’ve all been achieving, it’s a massive confidence boost to know you’re on a par with them.

“Ellie and I used to go together to watch Thunder with our families but when you’re younger, you never think you’ll get anywhere close to playing for them.

“To think our parents might be able to watch us playing in the first team – it would mean a lot.”

Innovator Ethan Rose has been in barnstorming badminton form through lockdown – literally.
The Oakley ace is the current world No.4 at Under-19 level and was forced to think firmly outside the box when the pandemic first struck.

Rose, a nine-time junior national champion, had his training schedule scuppered but his dad Neil – who owns his own construction company in Oxfordshire – had other ideas.

After building a garden practice facility, Neil converted a nearby barn into a badminton court for his son’s birthday and Rose reckons his ‘invaluable’ circumstances have kept him fit and firing.

Rose, who recently turned 18 and is coached by mum Sue, said: “When we first went into lockdown I was incredibly fortunate.

“My dad works in construction and he built me a half-court outside in our back garden. I was still able to train and physically keep my training up.

“We were then also very lucky that a local farm had a barn that wasn’t in use – and my dad converted the barn into a full-size badminton court for my 18th birthday.

“Since January 1, I’ve been training on my own personal court, which has been pretty amazing.

“I think the first court outside was so invaluable – I was able to maintain that physical level and not feel like I’m falling behind.

“From December, going back into another lockdown and having that full-size court has also been invaluable.

“I’ve almost been training normally since December, even though we’ve been through lockdown.

“I’ve not just been able to maintain where I’m at – I’m still able to push on and progress and a lot of athletes aren’t able to do that at the moment in this position.”

Rose’s career on the court is fuelled by an innovative partnership between Entain – owner of Ladbrokes and Coral – and leading sports charity SportsAid.

The funding enables him access to training, travel and equipment and Rose has taken full advantage as he shot to the English Under-19 summit.

The Oxford ace has already claimed a bronze medal at the Under-17 European Championships and is currently ramping up preparations for an Under-19 competition in Spain.

He’s relishing the prospect of benefiting from Entain and SportsAid funding and hopes the much-needed cash injection can propel him to the next level.

“Entain and SportsAid’s support makes a massive difference,” he added.

“It helps both on the financial side with training, and in terms of being able to get to tournaments that I wouldn’t be able to do otherwise.

“I’m taking it one tournament at a time and not looking too far ahead into the future. It’s about looking at the next few months and seeing where I might be able to go from there.”

Having felt the full force of the Covid-19 pandemic, Billericay’s rising boxing star George Liddard is itching to make up for lost time and announce himself on the senior international stage.

The 18-year-old (19 on May 30) took his first steps in the ring ten years ago, following in the footsteps of father Terry who had shown signs of boxing talent himself in his younger days.

Despite giving it a go merely to build confidence shy schoolboy Liddard was instantly hooked, and an appearance in the final of his first ever National Schools Championships on his 13th birthday provided an indication of his natural ability.

Since then then the Billericay and Wickford ABC native has gone on to clinch four national titles and two international gold medals, and had been in line for appearances at the European and World Youth Championships until Covid-19 put paid to those plans.

Besides being hit with the frustration of missing out on a shot at a maiden international major Liddard was bed-ridden with the virus last winter, but having struggled mentally and physically he is now fighting back to his best form.

“I’ve found it tough at times over the last year or so,” admitted Liddard. “Missing the Europeans was pretty gutting – it was going to be my first real break out on the European scene, and I was in the best shape of my life.

“I fell into a bit of a rut. I’m quite goal-orientated and with nothing coming up and no end in sight I struggled. I wasn’t training, I was eating bad food, and not being able to box got to me.

“I got out running and did some work on the pads with my dad, and just as I was getting fit I caught Covid myself. I was quite ill in bed for a good three or four days, which set me back quite a bit.

“But I believe everything happens for a reason and I’ve been working hard behind the scenes for a while now. I’m my harshest critic so I always think I can improve, but things are on the horizon and I’m getting sharper with each passing day.”

Liddard’s career in the ring is fuelled by a partnership between Entain – owner of Ladbrokes and Coral – and SportsAid, which provides vital funding for training, travel, equipment and access to mentoring.

Europeans disappointment was somewhat compounded by an invitation to trial for the GB pathway, which could put Liddard – who balances his sporting commitments with working as an accounts manager for National Windscreens – on course for an appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

A three-year unbeaten streak in the amateur ranks has given him confidence he can indeed mix it with the world’s best going forward, but regardless of his short-term fortunes Liddard is aiming to turn professional at some stage.

He added: “If I do well at the GB trials I’ll become an academy boxer, which will involve training up in Sheffield a few times a week and travelling to international competitions. As well as that I’ve got my first senior fight coming up in Devon in August.

“Paris is certainly my aim. Whether that happens or not will probably determine when I go pro – I’ve got to give it a shot at some point because that’s the way you establish yourself as the best in the world.

“I’d love to follow in the footsteps of someone like Canelo Álvarez. We’ve had very different journeys in the sport but he’s someone I look up to. I’d love to be able to fight like him, and with hard work I believe I should be able to.”

After a turbulent breakthrough season, Mansfield rugby union star Georgina Tasker is targeting bigger and better things on her rapid rise to the top.

The 18-year-old centre has had a season of two halves, starting with the disappointment of several missed months of action due to not being old enough to join up with the Loughborough Lightning first team in pre-season and her contracting Covid-19.

But, on her return, the former Samworth Church Academy student broke through into the side with Premier 15s league starts against Saracens and Sale Sharks while she also made the squad for her side’s semi-final clash with Sarries.

It’s some way from her humble beginnings in the sport when, prompted by parents wanting to keep her busy, she went along to her school’s rugby club in year seven – the rest, as they say, is history.

“It was hard to find form because I’d been out for so long,” she said.

“It was like I always playing catch-up at the start of the season, but it was really nice to eventually play and make my breakthrough.

“I went into training having not done pre-season so everybody had a month on me and then I was out for a month coming back from Covid so everyone got another month on me then.

“There’ve been quite a few bumps in the road this season, definitely at the start of it, but it got nice towards the end of the season.

“Especially with Covid, before the first lockdown I was supposed to get some Prem time and then I was meant to get some when I got Covid so it was nice to get to that end goal.
“I now feel more a part of the team because I’ve actually played for them!”

Tasker’s career on the pitch is fuelled by a partnership between Entain – owner of Ladbrokes and Coral – and SportsAid which provides vital funding for training, travel, equipment and access to mentoring.

The investment is supported by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and has seen the young talent accelerate following her Mansfield RFC days.

Now, she’s after glory with Loughborough and, who knows, maybe an England jersey too.
“It would be really good to win the Prem. Watching Quins win was great,” Tasker added.

“I’d also love to play for England but being in the squad for the [Premier 15s] semis and seeing the atmosphere there was inspiring for next season.

“I want to get more Prem time and then see where it goes from there.
“Lightning is such a

Glen Quayle believes a Stateside scholarship will catapult his pole vault journey to new heights as the Manx athlete targets a place at next year’s Commonwealth Games.

The 19-year-old, who grew up in Baldrine before moving to Loughborough three years ago, is heading to Northern State University in South Dakota in August to combine his training with studying graphic design.

Obtaining the scholarship has been Quayle’s focus through the latest lockdown and with a place now secured, he is relishing the opportunities that lie in wait.

“I want to see new parts of the world and do as many things as I can,” he said.

“I did have an offer from Loughborough Uni – I’m on my gap year at the moment – but I deferred it while I decided what was happening with America and it’s all worked out now.

“One of the main reasons I wanted to go there was how well they balance your commitments.

“You decide what times you want to study and it’s fitted in around your training, so it doesn’t clash.

“I’m looking forward to competing in the NCAA in America – and the Commonwealth Games is a big aim for next year.

“It’s a really good opportunity, especially being in Birmingham, and I am so proud to be from the Isle of Man.

“It’s rare you get to compete for them – for a lot of events it comes under Great Britain – so it would be nice to represent the island itself.”

Quayle’s sporting journey began within gymnastics but the intensity of the training workload soon took its toll.

Having seen his siblings enjoying athletics, the former Ramsey Grammar School pupil decided to give it a go and soon discovered an aptitude for pole vault which was a key factor behind him leaving home aged 16.

“I wasn’t nervous or anything, I knew that was best for me and my parents were fully supportive as they want me to do what makes me happy,” he said.

“It’s only looking back now I realise it was kind of a big move – but I’m glad I did it.

“In terms of coaching and facilities, Loughborough is the best place to be – especially now we have Holly Bradshaw here. It has become a hotspot for British pole vault.

“There’s a really good group here and I’ve learned so much from being around this quality of pole vaulters and coaches.”

British record holder Bradshaw is among those who have benefited from SportsAid programmes in the past and Quayle’s ambitions are now being supported by a partnership between the charity and Entain – owners of Ladbrokes and Coral.

The initiative will provide vital funding for training, travel, equipment and access to mentoring and the former Ramsey Grammar School pupil is delighted to be a part of it.

“With maintenance of poles, pole rental and trying to travel with poles, it all adds up,” he said.

“I’m also living away from home, which can be expensive, so this funding will be really useful.”

Versatile Nia Jones’ insight is propelling Severn Stars’ prodigy Harriet Sanderson to the Vitality Super League big time.

Leckhampton star Sanderson, 19, is currently in the Severn Stars academy and works closely under the auspices of first-team vice-captain Jones.

Jones, 29, also represents Wales at international football and is blazing a sporting trail for Sanderson to follow.

The academy ace has loved being a sponge to Jones’ knowledge and reckons her off-court influence will be critical in hauling her towards the first-team.

Sanderson said: “Nia Jones is somebody I really look up to.

“She’s the vice-captain and she’s such an integral part of the team both on and off the court. I mainly look up to her for her actions off the court, just because she’s so inspirational, encouraging, a rock at training and is there to lighten the mood.

“If she can tell that some of us are down, she’s always cracking jokes. She messages us after training to check in and things like that.

“I would say I know her quite well off the court – we all get to training early and we train multiple times a week, so we get used to each other.

“Last season I went to all the Super League training squad’s sessions. I’ve been in and out through lockdown.

“I really want to play in the Super League for a franchise and just keep playing to the best of my ability – and to the highest level there is.”

Sanderson turned 19 last month and is supported by an innovative partnership between Entain – owner of Ladbrokes and Coral – and leading sports charity SportsAid.

The funding enables her access to training, travel and equipment and certainly comes in handy as she juggles her sports career with a Physiotherapy Degree at the University of Birmingham.

She’s racking up plenty of miles on the M5 as she travels to and from training and says Entain and SportsAid’s funding came at the perfect time.

“It’s helpful and so important,” she added.

“It was such a relief when I saw the money come through – I get through at least £30 of petrol a week, and being a student away from my family, I’ve had to take much more responsibility for my costs.

“It means that while I’m stressing about getting to different places, at least I don’t have to worry about the money aspect of things and I can be more comfortable and relaxed. It takes away a lot of stress from me.”

Jennifer Lawrence’s blockbuster Hollywood exploits first ignited Heather Hughes’ Hunger for archery.

Southport star Hughes, 20, has enjoyed a thrilling career with a bow in hand but was first inspired to take up the sport in box office circumstances.

Hughes, who competes for Nethermoss Archers, watched the first Hunger Games film as an 11-year-old and decided to take to the range adjacent to her dad Peter’s cricket club.

Globetrotting international appearances in Greece and Italy have followed and Hughes, who wants to compete for Scotland at next summer’s Commonwealth Games, says she’ll always be grateful for Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and co’s primal exploits on the big screen.

She said: “I started archery when I was 11 – I watched the Hunger Games and just thought ‘I want to try that.’

“That’s what got me into it initially – my dad used to play cricket and the archery club was opposite the cricket field.

“After I watched the film, I read the books and became interested in shooting, so I had to have a go.

“I did, and it just carried on – from small competitions to much bigger competitions.

“I’ve always really liked films and stories in general. The visibility of archery in popular culture is good to see – it’s not as mainstream as football and cricket, but it’s good to see it in the public eye.

“It would be good to see others trying the sport and getting more people interested through the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games.

“What I love so much about archery is that you’re able to go to the field, shoot arrows and make good friends that last a lot of years – it has so many benefits.”

Hughes’ arrow-firing career is powered by an innovative partnership between Entain – owner of Ladbrokes and Coral – and leading sports charity SportsAid.

The funding enables her access to training, travel and equipment as Hughes plots a route to next summer’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The Merseyside ace is balancing her career with a degree in English and Film at Ormskirk’s Edge Hill University after studying at Southport’s Christ the King High School.

Life in lockdown was a juggling act and Hughes admits the injection of Entain funding has helped to significantly ease the strain.

“Entain and SportsAid’s funding has helped a lot in terms of helping me carry on without having to worry about finances,” Hughes added.

“Especially after the coronavirus pandemic. It’s put a lot of strain on people financially, so the funding has really helped.”

Women’s football is on the rise in England and Teesside midfielder Holly Manders is hoping to join the fun thanks to financial support from Entain Holdings and SportsAid.

Manders is a beneficiary of Entain’s three-year partnership with the sports charity, helping young talent across the UK realise their potential.

Athletes get funding for training, travel and equipment, as well as mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

Manders will ply her trade with Sunderland this season, with the FA Women’s Premier League team situated two divisions below the world’s best in the Super League.

The teenager will be hopeful of joining the top stars in the years to come, with her cause supported by her place on the Entain and SportsAid programme.

“The funding and support means a lot. I’m a student at university from a financial point of view, it means the world,” she said.

“It goes towards a lot of things. Coming down from the north, there can be a lot of travel expenses that build up so it’s a real boost for things like that.

“We do a lot of camps and training experiences so the funding can make a real difference. Those experiences make me a better player and it’s reassuring knowing that I don’t have to worry about them.

“It gives me a lot of confidence. I’ve believed in me but it’s nice knowing that other people are putting their faith in you and believe that you can achieve.”

The young athletes will be following in the footsteps of legendary figures such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah, Dame Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds OBE – all of whom received SportsAid support – and more recent beneficiaries including Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Peaty MBE.

The initiative is part of Entain’s Pitching In, a major new multi-million-pound investment programme designed to support and promote grassroots sports.

“I’ve been part of the England age group squads for a few years, which is really good,” Manders added. “I’ve been around lots of talented players and that’s been a really big part of my progression.

“I was the only person from the north so it was a great learning experience. I was playing with and against people from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City so I was really able to learn a lot from that.

“I just want to keep progressing through the age groups and hopefully that will lead me to the first team.

“Doing that would mean everything to me, reaching the England team is what you dream of and it’s hard to describe how nice a feeling that would be.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Paralympic hopeful James Hamilton hopes his SportsAid funding will enable him to continue building experience as he looks to fulfil his ambition of competing in Tokyo next summer.

Hamilton, who competes in 800m and 1500m in the T20 category, is among the beneficiaries of a three-year partnership between Entain and SportsAid which is part of Entain’s Pitching In programme.

Launched in 2019 with the support of Paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompson, the initiative helps young athletes fulfil their potential by helping cover the costs of training, travel and equipment.

This has already proved useful for Hamilton, who is looking forward to the resumption of competitions when possible.

“I can use the money for buying new spikes or road shoes, which is really helpful,” said the 27-year-old, who hails from Doagh, near Ballyclare.

“It also helps with the cost of travelling and accommodation when I go to England for races.”

Hamilton previously represented Ireland at swimming but has been focused on running since 2014 and can count himself among some elite names who have also received SportsAid support, including Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and Adam Peaty MBE – as well as a particular hero of Hamilton’s.

“Sir Mo Farah is the big one I look up to, what he’s done is pretty special,” he said.

“It’s cool to have your name recognised like this. I like inspiring the younger age groups and they look up to me, so it feels good to be up there.”

Having recovered from a hip injury sustained during lockdown, Hamilton is back into his routine of training three times a week at the Mary Peters Track in Belfast with former Northern Ireland international runner Mark Kirk.

He also remains a member of Ballymena Runners and put his home village of Doagh on the map when he reached the final of the 800m and 1500m in the Para-Athletics World Championships in London in 2017.

Hamilton finished sixth in both and is eager to sample another taste of international action in Tokyo next summer.

“I am very inspired by hoping to reach the Paralympics, which is my main goal for next year,” he said.

“Seeing other people perform well has pushed me to keep going.

“If I got there, it would mean the whole world. You can’t go any further than the Paralympics, so it would be a big achievement.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Joel Clarke-Khan admits he would not have been crowned British champion without Entain Holdings and SportsAid’s support.

The Worcester-based high jump star reigned supreme at the British Athletics Championships after leaping over the bar at 2.18m in Manchester.

Clarke-Khan entered the event in a positive frame of mind and reckons the financial assistance of Entain and SportsAid lay at the heart of that mentality.

“I was in such a good mental state because I was so relaxed because everything went smoothly financially,” said the 20-year-old, one of 50 beneficiaries of Entain’s programme which is part of the Pitching In initiative.

“If I didn’t have SportsAid funding I’d worry about how I’m going to fund my pre-competition massage, travel, hotel, eating, and literally everything.

“I could have turned up with a stressed mind, but having SportsAid to help with opportunities was a blessing and really puts me in a better place.”

Supported by Paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompson, Entain announced a three-year partnership with SportsAid last year to help young athletes realise their potential and promote grassroots sport.

The investment will provide funding for training, travel and equipment and allow athletes access to mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

Clarke-Khan has been through the wringer in recent years, rupturing his patella tendon in 2018 and enduring a difficult period on the busy athletics circuit.

He doubted if SportsAid or Entain would come back calling but says their continued support has provided an invaluable source of confidence.

“Coming back from a quiet year last year, I wasn’t sure if SportsAid were going to be in contact but when I found out there were, I realise they haven’t lost hope in me yet,” added Clarke-Khan, who is treading the same SportsAid pathway as fellow athletes Sir Mo Farah, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and Dina Asher-Smith.

“It’s nice to know they still believe in me, and I was able to prove to them that I’m worth believing in.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Brighton swimmer Joel Thompson insists the financial support of Entain Holdings and SportsAid helped ease the mental toll of this year’s lockdown, as he continues in his bid to compete at next summer’s Olympic Games.

The 19-year-old is a recent recipient of the award, with the two bodies having partnered up in a three-year agreement in 2019, aiming to help young athletes across the UK realise their potential.

Having reached the semi-finals of the 200m IM at last year’s European Junior Championships, Thompson was preparing himself for the Olympic trials before the coronavirus epidemic iced the majority of 2020 competition, and delayed his Tokyo Olympics dream for at least another 12 months.

While the funding will help Thompson equip himself with the tools to perform at the top level going forward – having left home to enrol on a mass communication degree at Louisiana State University – the former Ellesmere College student explains the support enabled him to stay mentally and physically fit during the break.

“The backing from Entain and SportsAid is amazing, especially during uncertain times like we’ve had over the course of this year,” said Thompson, one of 50 beneficiaries of Entain’s programme which is part of the Pitching In initiative.

“When some of the restrictions were lifted I was able to go on a training camp to Malta, which helped me massively mentally. None of the pools were open in England, and I was finding it really tough trying to go running and do things out of the water.

“The funding has also been a big help in terms of allowing me to buy equipment I’ve never had before, and I feel in a really strong position to keep progressing and go on and achieve what I want in the sport now.”

As well as funding for training, travel and equipment, athletes on the SportsAid programme receive valuable mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

The young athletes will be following in the footsteps of legendary figures such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah, Dame Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds OBE – all of whom received SportsAid support – and more recent beneficiaries including Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Peaty MBE.

Thompson added: “Knowing that there are people out there who have identified you as someone worth backing is a big confidence boost, and it really does motivate you to kick on in training and in competitions.

“I’ve had the chance to network with some of the other athletes on the scheme this summer on Zoom, and while it’s been great to learn off of all of them, I really do feel like part of a family now because everyone wants to help each other.

“It’s a special feeling knowing some of the most famous British sporting stars were once in the same position that I’m in now. That gives you belief that you can replicate their success and that anything’s possible.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Para-Athletics star Kirsty Taylor believes the financial support of Entain Holdings and SportsAid could be the key ingredient in allowing her to reach her full potential.

The 20-year-old – from Caldicot – is a recent recipient of the award, with the two bodies having partnered up in a three-year agreement in 2019, aiming to help young athletes across the UK realise their potential.

Having captained the GB team at the 2019 World Para Athletics Junior Championships – where she won silver medals in both the T42-64 100m and 200m events – and gone on to feature at the Anniversary Games and this year’s British Championships, Taylor is already targeting next summer’s rearranged European Championships as the next stepping stone in her career.

But after moving to Loughborough University – where she is currently a second year human biology student – the T44 sprinter and long jumper insists the support of Entain and SportsAid is crucial to making sure she is suitably equipped to performance at her best on the track.

“At home my parents can drive me to competitions and support me financially, but stepping out on your own means you have to rely on yourself for everything,” said Taylor, one of 50 beneficiaries of Entain’s programme which is part of the Pitching In initiative.

“Financially, the support takes a huge weight off my shoulders. It enables me to do my sport, to do my competitions, and to book a hotel the night before so that I can perform at my best. It’s the little things a lot of the time but they add up to make a big difference.

“It’s an expensive lifestyle and having the resources to compete is so important. As I’m entering more competitions the travel costs are increasing all the time, so it’s such a relief to know I have the backing of the programme and I’m hugely grateful.”

As well as funding for training, travel and equipment, athletes on the SportsAid programme receive valuable mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

The young athletes will be following in the footsteps of legendary figures such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah, Dame Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds OBE – all of whom received SportsAid support – and more recent beneficiaries including Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Peaty MBE.

Besides the financial help, Taylor is in no doubt of the wide-ranging psychological benefits of the scheme, explaining how the knowledge of the backing from Entain and SportsAid has motivated her to keep climbing towards the top of the sport.

She said: “Knowing people outside of my personal bubble believe in me and can see my potential is a huge confidence boost, and something I find really exciting.

“There’s always a personal touch added to it as well. I’ve received good luck and congratulations messages while I’ve been away at competitions, which shows that they really care about their athletes and does make you smile.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Lily Abbott says the financial support of Entain Holdings and SportsAid was a watershed moment in her rowing career.

The 18-year-old is a recent recipient of a SportsAid grant and is relishing life on the big stage, having competed for Great Britain at the prestigious Coupe de la Jeunesse.

Rowing can be an expensive sport to sustain and Abbott admits the injection of Entain and SportsAid support came at the perfect time.

“SportsAid and Entain’s funding will really help with paying for race entry fees, which are extremely expensive in this sport!” said Abbott, one of 50 beneficiaries of Entain’s programme which is part of the Pitching In initiative.

“Sometimes you have to pay up to £50 just to enter a race, never mind the travel of getting there, food and accommodation.

“Having money that is literally put aside to my sport is so helpful – just having it separate and knowing that it’s there is really reassuring.”

Supported by Paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompson, Entain announced a three-year partnership with SportsAid in 2019 to help young athletes realise their potential and promote grassroots sport.

The investment will provide funding for training, travel and equipment and allow athletes access to mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

Entain and SportsAid’s financial support is supplemented by the confidence boost it provides athletes – and Abbott says that psychological impact is palpable every day.

“To know that I’ve got people backing me is a really amazing feeling,” added Abbott, who is treading the same pathway as Sir Mo Farah, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Dame Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds OBE in receiving SportsAid support.

“I’m very grateful for it and it takes a lot of the stress away, while it feels amazing to follow in the footsteps, be on the same path as and be associated with some top athletes – that’s really cool.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Fighting her way back on to the international scene, softball star Louisa Scott insists the financial support of Entain Holdings and SportsAid is crucial to keeping her dream alive.

The 26-year-old – from Hounslow – is a recent recipient of the award, with the two bodies having partnered up in a three-year agreement in 2019, aiming to help young athletes across the UK realise their potential.

Scott was part of the GB setup between the ages of 13 and 18, but having taken time away from the sport while studying for a sports science degree – and later for a PGCE – at the University of Brighton, she is now hungry to make her way in the senior ranks.

While she juggles her playing commitments in the Netherlands with her career as head of year 7, 9 and 10 at Twickenham School, the Hounslow-based athlete admits none of it would be possible without the programme’s support.

“The money makes a world of difference, especially in a sport like softball that is generally self-funded but that actually costs a lot to commit to,” said Scott, one of 50 beneficiaries of Entain’s programme which is part of the Pitching In initiative.

“The equipment is expensive but it lasts, so most of the money I receive goes on travel. One of our national centres is in Coventry which is a two-hour journey for me, so it means I’m able to pay for the petrol and accommodation

“There’s also regular flying to the Netherlands to consider – which is crucial to my development – so I’m really grateful for the backing from SportsAid and Entain and I don’t think it’d be possible without them.”

As well as funding for training, travel and equipment, athletes on the SportsAid programme receive valuable mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

The young athletes will be following in the footsteps of legendary figures such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah, Dame Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds OBE – all of whom received SportsAid support – and more recent beneficiaries including Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Peaty MBE.

Besides the monetary value of the programme, Scott is confident the support of Entain and SportsAid acts as a significant psychological boost, as she looks to return to international competition and increase the exposure of softball in the UK.

She said: “When I came back to softball after a few years out I think my confidence was shattered, but knowing that SportsAid believed in me was a huge boost, and it really drove me forward and motivated me.

“I’ve found the networking events very useful during my time on the programme, too. It’s always useful to hear how other athletes deal with similar problems to yourself, and hopefully I can continue to feed off that support into the future.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Olympic  hopeful Louise Evans is hoping to replicate the exploits of clubmate Dina Asher-Smith with the help of funding from Entain Holdings and SportsAid.

Asher-Smith came through at Blackheath & Bromley Harriers, where 400m prospect Evans now trains under the tutelage of Linford Christie in combination with her studies at Brunel University.

And the journey of Britain’s current sprint sensation – one of a vast number of SportsAid alumni to have become a British sporting icon, alongside the likes of Sir Mo Farah and Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill – acts as further motivation for Evans in her quest to reach the top.

“It’s an honour to have the same funding as those names and I hope to follow in their footsteps,” said the 19-year-old, who hails from Aylesham in Kent.

“I really enjoyed seeing Dina Asher-Smith come through. We run for the same club and she’s from the same area so to see someone having success on the world stage is really inspiring.”

Lockdown wiped out the spring and summer competitions on Evans’ radar but funding from Entain, which helps cover training, travel and equipment, allowed her to keep training and ensured she was ready to hit the ground running upon her return to the track.

“It is a massive help,” she said.

“It helps us with treatment for injury prevention, like massages and physio, and this year alone the funding helped me with the weights I needed to train from home.

“If we ever have anything like lockdown in the future, I’m prepared now and I have a set-up at home.”

The initiative was launched in 2019 with the support of Paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompson and it was a successful year for Evans, who won a European Under-20 Championship gold in the 4x400m relay and an individual silver in the British Under-20 Athletics Championships.

Lockdown has meant a shift in focus to 2021, which the former Sandwich Technology School student is eager to crack into.

“I have moved up an age group now and the European Under-23s is next year,” Evans said.

“I came seventh in the (Under-20) final last year, which was disappointing and made me want more from myself. Hopefully I can get a medal or at least place high in the final. It’s an Olympic year so I’ll set my expectations really high and see how it goes.

“I allow myself to dream big because once it’s there you can aim for it. If you fall short, so be it but if you have that dream there you will keep fighting for it.

“Ultimately, I would like to make the Olympics as an individual and win Olympic, World and Commonwealth medals. That’s a big dream of mine.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Few sportsmen can call themselves a three-time league winner and European champion by the age of 22.

Marcus Harrison is one of the few who can, however, and the Powerchair Football star is hoping financial support from Entain Holdings and SportsAid can help him achieve even more success.

Harrison is among the latest crop of 50 sportspeople to be supported by the programme, which is part of Entain’s Pitching In campaign and was launched in 2019 with the support of Paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompson.

Athletes receive funding for training, travel and equipment, as well as mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

Harrison travels from his home in Liverpool to represent his club side, West Bromwich Albion, and the programme will help him continue to do so as well as providing other benefits.

“It is great to be a part of,” said Harrison, who was born with congenital muscular dystrophy.

“It’s quite an expensive sport to play, for myself at least, with petrol and hotels. Going to West Brom every Tuesday costs £30 in petrol and we have to stay all over the country.

“It adds up over a season but the Entain money will help me not have to worry about it.”

SportsAid programmes have helped support a vast array of British sporting heroes, including Jessica Ennis-Hill and Sam Peaty MBE, and Harrison is delighted to see his name in that company.

“They have been on it and gone on to achieve great things, so hopefully I can do the same in my sport,” said Harrison, who has already won plenty in the game.

As well as helping West Brom to three successive National League titles, Harrison has represented England in a World Cup and two European Championships since his first international call-up in 2013.

At the most recent Euros, which took place last year, he scored twice in the final 10 minutes to help England come from 2-0 down to earn a draw against world champions France before scoring the winning penalty in the shootout.

“In the lead-up to it, the thought of taking one was keeping me awake at night,” said Harrison, who was also the tournament’s top goal scorer.

“But in the moment, going up, I knew I was going to score. I was confident and didn’t feel nervous.”

Harrison credits Powerchair Football for “completely changing my life”, building his confidence at school (Broadgreen International School) and University, where he studied Science and Football at Liverpool John Moores.

“There are not many disability team sports you can play as a wheelchair user,” Harrison said.

“It’s fast and exciting – I would definitely urge people to get involved.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Having moved away from home for the first time, young hockey star Martha Taylor believes the financial support of Entain Holdings and SportsAid could be crucial in her bid to reach the top.

The 18-year-old is a recent recipient of the award, with the two bodies having partnered up in a three-year agreement in 2019, aiming to help young athletes across the UK realise their potential.

Taylor recently enrolled on a geography degree at the University of Exeter, where she hopes to continue her development on the hockey pitch, and eventually emulate Great Britain’s Rio 2016 gold medallists.

The next step on her journey concerns progression from England U18s to Great Britain U23s, and Taylor insists funding from Entain and SportsAid will give her the best chance of achieving her own Olympic dream.

“There are huge costs associated with playing elite sport – in terms of travel, kit, medical fees and everything else – so it will be a massive help, especially now I’m at university,” said Taylor, one of 50 beneficiaries of Entain’s programme which is part of the Pitching In initiative.

“My parents are still supporting me, but it allows me to take a bit more care of myself which is really helpful. It’s going to play a big part in keeping me at the level I need to be at while they’re not there.

“I’m so grateful for their support and it’s a big boost to know you’ve got these bodies behind you. Knowing that Entain and SportsAid believe in me is huge for my confidence and makes a really big difference.”

As well as funding for training, travel and equipment, athletes on the SportsAid programme receive valuable mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

The young athletes will be following in the footsteps of legendary figures such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah, Dame Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds OBE – all of whom received SportsAid support – and more recent beneficiaries including Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Peaty MBE.

While still relatively new to the programme, Taylor is excited about the wide-ranging benefits offered by Entain and SportsAid, and is vying to add her name to the illustrious list of alumni who have gone on to become global stars.

She said: “During lockdown I’ve been able to engage with some of the online workshops that SportsAid have delivered, which I think are really valuable. It’s amazing how much you can learn by connecting with athletes from different sports and hearing how they approach things differently.

“When I saw the list of athletes who have been supported by SportsAid in the past I was amazed. It’s a huge honour to be able to associate myself with the likes of Jessica Ennis-Hill – who was one of my heroes growing up – and hopefully I can share some of their success, too.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Weightlifting prospect Michael Farmer has hailed SportsAid backing as a key factor in keeping him motivated to train hard during lockdown.

Farmer is among the beneficiaries of a three-year partnership between SportsAid and Entain Holdings, part of Pitching In, which helps young athletes fulfil their potential by contributing funding towards training, travel and equipment.

And when lockdown wiped his calendar free of competitions, the 21-year-old from Caerphilly admitted that support was crucial in maintaining his desire.

“I had funding from Entain last year too and I got a silver medal in the Commonwealth Championships in Samoa,” Farmer said.

“I was on a real high from last year but then we got to March and everything shut down.

“The financial incentive from having SportsAid’s backing is something which has helped keep me and a number of athletes I know going.

“There’s people relying on us and backing us and we know our worth because people want to help us. In that sense, it is definitely a motivator.”

Farmer also credited the initiative, which was launched in 2019 by Baroness Grey-Thompson, with helping him balance training and education – he has just begun a Masters in Environmental Management at Bangor University.

“I have to get up early, go and do my squats, do a full day in Uni, then go and train again in the evening,” he said.

“I enjoy the challenge but it is tough and it does help through organisations like SportsAid and Entain – without that funding it’s hard to stay on top of travel and training.

“It’s a lot of little things that add up, especially in the course of a training year. My training costs are quite a lot of money, as are my coaching fees – a lot goes into it.”

A medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham is Farmer’s big ambition and he takes heart from being among the array of Team GB stars to have received SportsAid support in the past, including Sir Mo Farah and Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill.

“It’s very motivating to see your name as part of this elite group,” Farmer said.

“For an organisation like SportsAid, who have supported some of the very best, to be supporting me feels very special.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Skeleton star Milly Kellyman is relishing the chance to follow in big footsteps after being selected to receive funding from Entain Holdings and SportsAid.

The 27-year-old is a beneficiary of Entain’s three-year partnership with the sports charity, helping young talent across the UK realise their potential.

Athletes get funding for training, travel and equipment, as well as mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

Kellyman hadn’t even heard of skeleton before taking up the sport but is making up for lost time having reached the Great Britain Talent Squad.

“It’s a massive compliment. I didn’t have the structure and support beyond my family when I was doing athletics, so it’s really nice to have this in place,” said Kellyman, who graduated with a Child and Youth Studies degree from Derby University in 2015.

“Having that belief from someone else, who has seen what you can do and backs you to go even further, is a really nice compliment and massively reassuring.

“The funding is going towards general living. A lot of our training costs, including when we go away, are sorted, but you still have to make sure you live properly and give yourself as much opportunity as possible to focus on your sport.

“It’s already made a really big difference and I’m sure that will continue over the coming months.

“The SportsAid alumni are amazing, there are some big shoes to fill! The unity really ties in with my values, everyone coming together for events and to share their ideas and experiences, it’s really amazing to be a part of.”

The young athletes will be following in the footsteps of legendary figures such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah, Dame Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds OBE – all of whom received SportsAid support – and more recent beneficiaries including Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Peaty MBE.

The initiative is part of Entain’s Pitching In, a major new multi-million-pound investment programme designed to support and promote grassroots sports.

And for Kellyman, who first got into skeleton when trialling in 2016 through the Discover Your Gold programme, having the backing to compete in what is still a new sport is providing her plenty of reassurance.

“I always felt I had more to give in sport after starting in athletics. After the 2016 Olympics, there was an advertisement for the Discover Your Gold programme, and that’s how I got involved in skeleton.

“I went along, had no idea what it was about and did a quick Google before getting involved.

“I saw it was a bit dangerous but I thought, if they’ve seen something in me, then I ought to give it a go. And I’ve not stopped ever since!”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Short track speed skating star Niall Treacy believes the financial support of Entain Holdings and SportsAid could prove the difference in helping him achieving his Olympic ambitions.

The 20-year-old has been a recipient of SportsAid support for a large part of his short career, and the charity launched a three-year partnership with Entain in 2019, aiming to help young athletes across the UK realise their potential.

Treacy – from Henley-in-Arden in Warwickshire – is currently enjoying the transition into the senior international ranks, and was robbed of the opportunity to compete at his first senior World Championships earlier this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Having seen older brother Farrell represent Great Britain at PyeongChang 2018, Treacy is determined to follow in his sibling’s footsteps, and believes crucial financial backing could open doors for him in a sport that sits largely away from the limelight in the UK.

“The financial help provided by this partnership is massive for me as a speed skater, because the sport lost its UK Sport funding after the last Olympics,” said Treacy, one of 50 beneficiaries of Entain’s programme which is part of the Pitching In initiative.

“Everyone was left on their own, so to get this help feels like someone is still backing me and still believes. It’s instrumental in helping us go to that extra competition or train that extra day, so it’s massively appreciated.

“Those extra races and experiences all add up and ultimately it could be the difference between what I can achieve in the sport. To not receive the financial support would make realising my ambitions so much harder.”

As well as funding for training, travel and equipment, athletes on the SportsAid programme receive valuable mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

The young athletes will be following in the footsteps of legendary figures such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah, Dame Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds OBE – all of whom received SportsAid support – and more recent beneficiaries including Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Peaty MBE.

Besides the crucial financial support that SportsAid provides, Treacy is familiar with all of the wide-ranging benefits of the programme and is confident he has all the tools to add his name to the illustrious list of alumni that have reached the top of their game.

He said: “I’ve had the chance to go and meet other athletes of a similar age in all different sports – I remember talking to pole-vaulters and weightlifters – and discussing training and learning different things from them, and it was really valuable to hear what they were doing differently to you.

“I remember being shown Jessica Ennis-Hill’s application for SportsAid funding years ago, so to say you’re in the same group as people like her is amazing. It’s a confidence boost and shows they have great faith in your ability as an athlete.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Rugby star Owen Chaplin believes Entain Holdings and SportsAid’s support will make him a more well-rounded individual.

Chaplin, 18, is currently training for Newcastle Falcons and has also earned international recognition as third choice hooker for Ireland Under-18s.

Entain and SportsAid’s funding is fuelling his rise but he believes insight on broader aspects of life are just as important as events on the field.

“Everything SportsAid and Entain do is teaching you to work in a professional environment,” said Chaplin, one of 50 beneficiaries of Entain’s programme which is part of the Pitching In initiative.

“Even what I’m doing now, an interview, they teach you about that and if I was to progress, it’s really helpful.

“It’s massively important that SportsAid teach you about all different areas of becoming a well-rounded athlete if you want to progress.”

Supported by Paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompson, Entain announced a three-year partnership with SportsAid last year to help young athletes realise their potential and promote grassroots sport.

The investment will provide funding for training, travel and equipment and allow athletes access to mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

Financial support is supplemented by a confidence boost for athletes and Chaplin hopes the all-encompassing benefits of the partnership can take him to the top.

“The funding helps with travel and basic things as well – it’s quite expensive with the long trips down south to play rugby,” added Chaplin, who is treading the same SportsAid pathway as current stars Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Peaty MBE.

“Of course, it also gave me a confidence boost – you get a nice feeling when you discover that someone appreciates you and wants to invest in you.

“It’s great to follow in the footsteps of SportsAid’s alumni and it’s a big achievement for me.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Ross Davidson says Entain Holdings and SportsAid’s funding is maximising his training and catapulting him towards the Commonwealth Games.

The Carrickfergus wheelchair basketball star had his right leg amputated after a motorcycle crash but is hellbent on getting to Birmingham 2022.

He currently plays for Sheffield Steelers but works closely with top coach Phil Robinson back in Northern Ireland, who is guiding his pursuit of the tournament with the clock to the Games ticking.

Davidson is planning on using Entain and SportsAid’s support to divide his time between Sheffield and home – and reckons a jam-packed training schedule can be a recipe for success.

“To be able to train as much as I can, I’m considering living between Sheffield and Northern Ireland and travelling back and forward,” said Davidson, one of 50 athletes financially supported by a three-year partnership between Entain Holdings and SportsAid as part of Entain’s Pitching In initiative.

“The SportsAid and Entain money may go towards flights in order to maximise my training so I can get coaching here and back home.

“It would just bring up my frequency of training – me being able to fly back home once every two weeks, or hopefully every week if I can afford it, would mean I could get those extra sessions in with Phil as much as possible.”

Supported by Paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompson, Entain announced a three-year partnership with SportsAid in 2019 to help young athletes realise their potential and promote grassroots sport.

The investment will provide funding for training, travel and equipment and allow athletes access to mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

Entain and SportsAid’s financial assistance is bolstered by a morale boost for future stars – and Davidson says that psychological impact is pivotal.

“When people have your back and see potential in you, that makes you feel really good about yourself,” added Davidson, who is treading the same SportsAid pathway as ParalympicsGB stars Dame Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds OBE.

“You forget that people are there for you, watching you and supporting you and you don’t even know it, so it’s brilliant.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Rising para-athletics star Ross Paterson says SportsAid funding has given him a much-needed boost in confidence.

The 22-year-old is a beneficiary of Entain Holdings’ three-year partnership with SportsAid, helping young athletes across the UK realise their potential.

Athletes get funding for training, travel and equipment, as well as mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

Marshall, who was crowned English champion in the under 69kg weight category in March, says the funding is a godsend and helps her travel to London for training camps.

“SportsAid funding has been incredible for me, it’s helped me massively,” said the Paisley-born runner.

“I was a very shy boy growing up and knowing I’m on the same programme as Olympic and Paralympic champions is a huge confidence boost.

“They’ve helped make me into the athlete that I am today and they’ve given me the confidence to be myself and show the world who I am on the track.”

The young athletes will be following in the footsteps of legendary figures such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah, Dame Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds OBE – all of whom received SportsAid support – and more recent beneficiaries including Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Peaty MBE.

The initiative is part of Entain’s Pitching In, a major new multi-million-pound investment programme designed to support and promote grassroots sports.

“Funding helped me buy a new set of spikes and running shoes,” Paterson said.

“I can’t wait to get going again and the support SportsAid give you makes you want to pay them back with success.

“I can’t speak highly enough of how they’ve worked with us during lockdown, always checking in and giving us challenges to do at home.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Rising shooting star Ruth Mwandumba says SportsAid funding has literally got her moving again this year and helped her afford to buy a car.

The 25-year-old is a beneficiary of Entain Holdings’ three-year partnership with SportsAid, helping young athletes across the UK realise their potential.

Athletes get funding for training, travel and equipment, as well as mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

Mwandumba has been studying, working and competing in recent years and says SportsAid funding has helped her seize opportunities.

“It’s never been easy because there are a lot of international competitions and you have to self-fund,” says the Liverpool-born star.

“In the past I had to be selective about competitions I’d attend for financial reasons, but since receiving SportsAid funding it’s stopped me having to worry about that.

“I’ve been able to continue working and not need to work overtime to earn more money to compete overseas. It’s been a massive help.”

The young athletes will be following in the footsteps of legendary figures such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah, Dame Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds OBE – all of whom received SportsAid support – and more recent beneficiaries including Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Peaty MBE.

The initiative is part of Entain’s Pitching In, a major new multi-million-pound investment programme designed to support and promote grassroots sports.

Mwandumba feels SportsAid has given her a timely confidence boost as she targets the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2024 Olympics.

“SportsAid funding takes a massive weight off the shoulders and it’s always a helpful contribution towards the costs,” she said.

“Receiving a grant, it makes you feel good about yourself, that there are people who believe in you and your abilities.

“It’s one thing hearing it from friends, family and coaches but to have an outside organisation.

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Having sampled his first taste of international competition shortly before lockdown hit, taekwondo prospect Sam Heppenstall-Batty is hoping funding from Entain Holdings and SportsAid will allow him to continue taking part in such events when they resume.

The 19-year-old described March’s Dutch Open as a “really good experience”, but things then went from one extreme to the other as sport – and much of daily life as we know it – shut down.

Unable to train, Heppenstall-Batty used running as a way of keeping his fitness up in the months that followed and has been gradually getting back to sparring, doing as much as regulations allow.

The Halifax prospect is eager to get back to competing and those aims have been aided by support from Entain and SportsAid.

Launched in 2019 with the support Paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompson, Entain’s three-year partnership with SportsAid helps young athletes across the UK each year realise their potential.

Athletes get funding for training, travel and equipment, as well as mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

“It is amazing to be part of it,” said Heppenstall-Batty.

“International competitions are only a weekend away but it’s a lot of money – four or five hundred pounds each time.

“The more funding I have, the more competitions I can go to and the more experience I’ll gain, so it will be amazing to be able to do more of them when they are up and running.

“I want to prove to Team GB that I can do it at international level so it’s a big incentive.”

The initiative is part of Entain’s Pitching In, a major new multi-million-pound investment programme designed to support and promote grassroots sports.

The young athletes on the programme are following in the footsteps of legendary figures such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah and Dame Sarah Storey – as well as taekwondo world champion Bradly Sinden, who has acted as inspiration to Heppenstall-Batty.

“It is surreal to see my name among some of the SportsAid alumni but I have to take it in my stride,” he said.

“I have trained with some of the GB team and it is a real confidence boost. It’s definitely scary but it’s satisfying not to feel out of place. It shows me where I’m at in relation to where I want to go.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

With so many hidden costs associated with powerchair football, Wylam’s Sam Smith insists his World Cup ambitions wouldn’t be possible without the financial support of Entain Holdings and SportsAid.

The 21-year-old is a recent recipient of the award, with the two bodies having partnered up in a three-year agreement in 2019, aiming to help young athletes across the UK realise their potential.

Having made his England debut at the 2017 World Cup in Florida en route to the team’s third-place finish, Smith – a third year journalism student at Newcastle University – is hoping the Three Lions can emulate last year’s European success on the global stage in Sydney, in 2022.

But with the whole team reliant on specialist equipment and carers – among other financial constraints – the Northern Thunder star is hugely grateful for the programme’s backing.

“The funding I receive enables me to be as good as I can be in the sport,” said Smith, one of 50 beneficiaries of Entain’s programme which is part of the Pitching In initiative.

“All of us in the team require the help of a carer, so there’s always their travel and accommodation costs to consider, as well as everyone actually on the team.

“The support also allows me to make sure my equipment is at the standard it needs to be, and that it is maintained. It’ll also help me train individually when the lockdown eases – whether that’s renting a hall or travelling to a training camp – and I don’t think it’d be possible to continue at my current level without it.”

As well as funding for training, travel and equipment, athletes on the SportsAid programme receive valuable mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

The young athletes will be following in the footsteps of legendary figures such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah, Dame Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds OBE – all of whom received SportsAid support – and more recent beneficiaries including Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Peaty MBE.

Besides the financial help, Smith recognises the wide-ranging psychological benefits of the scheme, which have helped fuel his focus on establishing himself as an integral player for the national side in their quest for world domination.

He said: “It’s been a long road so having someone outside your immediate bubble telling you they believe in you definitely helps with your confidence on and off the pitch.

“Knowing you have their support also removes the headache of worrying about how you’re going to fund everything associated with your sport. I’m able to focus on my game and reach my potential.

“I was on the fringes of the team that won the Nations Cup in 2019, and now I’m determined to play a bit part in our World Cup efforts in two years’ time. Support from SportsAid and Entain will play a big part in allowing me to do that.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Rising rowing star Seth O’Connor says SportsAid funding came at the perfect time as he tried to maintain momentum during lockdown.

The 18-year-old is a beneficiary of Entain Holdings’ three-year partnership with SportsAid helping young athletes across the UK realise their potential.

Lockdown prevented O’Connor from training with team-mates at Henley Rowing Club and while he was able to resume solo work in July, he still needed to stay in shape.

That’s where SportsAid funding came in – he was able to source weights and home workout equipment that was invaluable to following British Rowing’s rigorous regime.

“For me, it was really fortunate that receiving SportsAid funding coincided with lockdown,” said O’Connor, who is targeting the 2028 Olympic Games.

“I was able to buy equipment and weights after we got funding in June and I was really lucky I could carry on training at home.

“There wasn’t as much stress as there could have been and a lot of people I know couldn’t afford to buy the weights to keep training.

“The transition back to proper training has been far easier for me than some of my friends.

“It gets pretty stale just sitting on an erg machine, doing lots of core or going on a run.

“I was able to switch up my training and do some strength and conditioning work which was really helpful.”

O’Connor following in the footsteps of legendary figures such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah and Ellie Simmonds OBE, all of whom received SportsAid support.

The initiative is part of Entain’s Pitching In, a major new multi-million-pound investment programme designed to support and promote grassroots sports.

O’Connor, who represented Britain at the World Junior Championships in 2019, valued SportsAid’s backing at a difficult time in his young career.

He said: “It wasn’t just about the financial support, it boosts your confidence to have the backing of an organisation like SportsAid.

“As athletes you get your confidence from competing and winning and training hard, and we didn’t have that during lockdown, so it was a big source of belief.

“When you have someone investing in your future, it’s a nice feeling.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Wandsworth badminton player Will Jones is looking to build on a wealth of experience he has already gained after being granted Entain Holdings and SportsAid funding for a second successive year.

The 19-year-old is a beneficiary of Entains three-year partnership with the sports charity, helping young talent across the UK realise their potential.

Athletes get funding for training, travel and equipment, as well as mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

Jones’ first year on the programme was certainly a productive one having taken part in a SportsAid workshop with his fellow supported athletes. at the Lee Valley VeloPark in London

“I’m really grateful for the continued support of Entainand SportsAid,” said Jones.

“The travel costs, accommodation and the entry fees all add up really quickly so the funding is going to make a big difference.

“You don’t realise the cost of things when you’re younger, and all of a sudden when you have to start paying for things, there’s an extra appreciation for parents.

“The workshop last year was really enlightening, seeing other people in their sport and learning how they deal with things was really insightful.

“We all seem to be in the same boat, we’re all pushing for spots in the senior team so it was really good.”

The young athletes will be following in the footsteps of legendary figures such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah, Dame Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds OBE – all of whom received SportsAid support – and more recent beneficiaries including Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Peaty MBE.

The initiative is part of Entain’s Pitching In, a major new multi-million-pound investment programme designed to support and promote grassroots sports.

And for Jones, having the support of other people in the sporting arena is providing a major boost in confidence.

“It gets you motivated that someone believes in you, you’re not just a lone ranger and it inspires you to keep pushing and putting in that hard work,” he added.

“I’ve played badminton since I was eight or nine. I wasn’t that into it when I was that young.

“My dad played, he took my sister and I down for a couple of sessions and we’ve enjoyed it ever since.

“We were quite competitive. My sister is six years older than me and was stronger than me, so that actually really helped me progress and she pushed me along to get better.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.

Rising hockey star Will Prentice says SportsAid funding will help him take advantage of global opportunities as he progresses in the sport.

The 18-year-old is a beneficiary of Entain Holdings’ three-year partnership with SportsAid, helping young athletes across the UK realise their potential.

Athletes get funding for training, travel and equipment, as well as mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

Prentice, who plays for England at under-18 level, is increasingly getting the chance to play in Europe and beyond and feels the funding is helping him seize those.

“Getting SportsAid funding is massive,” says the Bath-born star.

“It enables me to just focus on playing hockey rather than worrying about the cost of trips to Russia, Belgium, Holland or wherever we happen to be playing.

“Hockey is an expensive sport and equipment has to be replaced really regularly so the money is invaluable in making sure I have the stuff I need.”

The young athletes will be following in the footsteps of legendary figures such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah, Dame Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds OBE – all of whom received SportsAid support – and more recent beneficiaries including Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Peaty MBE.

The initiative is part of Entain’s Pitching In, a major new multi-million-pound investment programme designed to support and promote grassroots sports.

Prentice feels privileged to follow in the footsteps of Olympic champions and with his own targets for the 2024 Games, is inspired to greater heights by being part of SportsAid.

“It’s a big honour to be part of the programme,” he said.

“The number of people who’d love to be in my position is countless.

“I know people are supporting me and to know that they think I’m an interesting character who can possibly make it all the way is nice.

“It’s really lovely to have a bit of backing as a young athlete.”

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. As part of this three-year partnership, Entain are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.