Entain has announced its support of 50 of the most talented young British athletes through its continued partnership with SportsAid, now entering its third year.

The collaboration forms a keystone in the Entain Foundation’s Pitching In investment programme which is supporting and promoting grassroots initiatives at a time when sporting organisations continue to face unprecedented challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The partnership between SportsAid and Entain sees the athletes receive an annual award of £1,000 to contribute towards training and competition costs such as travel, accommodation, equipment and kit. The athletes supported by Entain in 2021 stretch across 24 sporting disciplines. They are among the country’s brightest prospects having been nominated to SportsAid by the national governing bodies of their respective sports.

Jette Nygaard- Andersen, Entain’s CEO, said: “We are proud to be supporting the next generation of British sports-people through our ongoing partnership with SportsAid. The past year has been an especially challenging period for sports people who have had their ability to train and compete severely restricted, so we are pleased that the Entain Foundation’s funding of the programme is providing opportunities for the nation’s brightest sporting talent to realise their full potential.”

In addition to direct financial assistance, Entain also works with SportAid to provide the athletes with recognition and personal development opportunities. An integral aspect of the partnership is the delivery of workshops for the athletes, their parents and guardians, where they receive expert advice on a range of topics including nutrition, mental wellbeing and dealing with the media.

Notable awardees this year include archer Louisa Piper, slider Milly Kellyman, track and field stars Charles Dobson and Joel Clarke-Khan, para table tennis player Craig Allen, swimmer Charlotte Rigg, short-track speed skater Niall Treacy and wheelchair basketball talent Dylan Wade. A total of 14 athletes who received support in 2020 have been re-nominated and continue on the programme in 2021.

Tim Lawler, Chief Executive of SportsAid, said: “Many of us hope and feel that better days are coming. Some may feel that life has been on hold somewhat over the past year or so; young sports people certainly feel this. Yet during such strange times, Entain and SportsAid haven’t stood still. Our partnership has adapted, evolved and innovated to be as vibrant and inspirational as ever. We’re delighted to be confirming this year’s cohort of athletes to be supported by the Entain Foundation and very proud to be a central pillar of the company’s Pitching In initiative, championing the heroes of community sport across the country.”

The Entain’s athlete intake for 2021 are:

Craig Allen, 26, Bromsgrove (Para Table Tennis)

Alex Baker, 19, Loughborough (Rugby Union)

Alice Barnsdale, 22, Market Rasen (Athletics)

William Bell, 19, Loughborough (Swimming)

Blake Bowman, 19, Derby (Basketball)

Eloise Brindle, 18, High Wycombe (Rowing)

Caitlin Burgess, 19, Berkeley (Equestrian)

Corran Carrick-Anderson, 18, Peebles (Cycling)

Joel Clarke-Khan, 21, Worcester (Athletics)

Josh Cook, 20, Barnsley (Snowboarding)

MelissaCoxon, 18, Sheffield (Athletics)

Jacob Davies, 19, Wolverhampton (Swimming)

Joseph Deighan, 18, Manchester (Swimming)

Charles Dobson, 21, Harwich (Athletics)

Maisie Elliott, 18, Lutterworth (Swimming)

Cheyanne Evans-Gray, 22, Croydon (Athletics)

Callum Hall, 28, Ilkley (Para Athletics)

Marcus Harrison, 23, Liverpool (Disability Football)

Ellie Heyes, 18, Manchester (Netball)

Thomas Holmes, 18, Marlborough (Athletics)

Heather Hughes, 20, Southport (Archery)

Amelia Kellyman, 27, Trowbridge (Skeleton)

Jasper Klein, 19, Cirencester (Skiing)

George Liddard, 18, Billericay (Boxing)

Owain Lloyd Hughes, 19, Swansea (Athletics)

Matthew Mackay, 19, Rossendale (Athletics)

Abigail Marshall, 18, Brackley (Wheelchair Fencing)

Lucy Jane Matthews, 18, Salisbury (Athletics)

Joshua McEntee, 28, Stockport (Goalball)

Jonathan Moody, 22, Nottingham (Short-Track Speed Skating)

Bethany Moule, 19, Aberavon (Athletics)

Chukwuemeka Osammor, 19, Sheffield (Athletics)

Tom Partington, 21, Headingley (Athletics)

Ross Paterson, 22, Paisley (Para Athletics)

Charlotte Payne, 19, Thatcham (Athletics)

Louisa Piper, 18, Woking (Archery)

Glen Quayle, 19, Loughborough (Athletics)

Katie Radzik, 32, Ashford (Para Equestrian)

Emma Rayner, 18, Bury (Netball)

Charlotte Rigg, 18, Solihull (Swimming)

Ethan Rose, 18, Aylesbury (Badminton)

Harriet Sanderson, 18, Cheltenham (Netball)

Georgina Tasker, 18, Mansfield (Rugby Union)

Kirsty Taylor, 20, Caldicot (Para Athletics)

Niall Treacy, 20, Stratford Upon Avon (Short-Track Speed Skating)

Taia Tunstall, 19, Watford (Athletics)

Dylan Wade, 19, Derry (Wheelchair Basketball)

Jessica Webb, 23, Norwich (Disability Tennis)

Luke Whitehouse, 18, Halifax (Gymnastics)

Jessica Whyte, 22, Hyde (Wheelchair Basketball)