Ross Davidson
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.