Supporting the sports stars of tomorrow today
By supporting SportsAid, you are helping the sports stars of tomorrow today. The charity helps young disabled and able-bodied athletes who have the potential, but not necessarily the resources, to be the best.
And it works. Of the 19 gold medals won by Great Britain at the last Olympics in Beijing, 18 had support from SportsAid.
As Olympic gymnastics hopeful Rachel Williams found when she received her award from SportsAid, the charity offers more than financial assistance. For a young athlete, it is also a vital vote of confidence.
“I felt like I was finally being noticed for all the work I have put in through the years,” she said. “It means I can train and compete now more than ever before.”
Originally known as the SportsAid Foundation, the charity was set up in 1976 to help amateur British athletes compete against better-funded overseas competitors. Until 1997, SportsAid was the main source of funding for all British athletes. The arrival of Lottery funding in 1997 moved SportsAid’s focus to younger athletes and today most of its beneficiaries are under 18; receiving annual awards of around £1,000.
All of these athletes are chosen by their sport’s national governing body to ensure the right people get the right help at the right time. Most compete in the junior national or even the senior national squads and their SportsAid Award helps them meet essential costs such as travel, training, accommodation, competition fees and equipment.
This keeps more talented athletes in sport.
The SportsBall is SportsAid’s flagship fundraising event, celebrating the success of its work, the success of the sports stars it has already helped and, more importantly, looking forward to see what can be done to help the next generation of British and world champions.
Award winners
2010
Legends Award – David Roberts (Paralympic swimmer), presented by Leon Taylor
SportsAid One to Watch Award Harry Martin (England and GB Hockey) presented by Paul Dickenson
2009
Legends Award – Peter Nicol (Squash), presented by Leon Taylor
SportsAid One to Watch Award – Jodie Williams (Sprinter), introduced by Paul Dickenson and presented by Christine Ohuruogu
2008
2008
Legends Award – Bradley Wiggins (Cycling), presented by Paul Dickenson
SportsAid One to Watch Award – Hollie Arnold (Javelin), presented by Steve Backley
Taut 100 Sports Person of the Year Award – Abbie Tayler (BMX), presented by Sir Matthew Pinsent
2007
Legends Award – Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson (Athletics), presented by Paul Dickenson
SportsAid One to Watch Award – Andrew Brown (Sailing), presented by Ben Ainslie
Taut 100 Sports Person of the Year Award – Maiyuran Ratneswaran (Fencing), presented by Sir Matthew Pinsent
2006
Taut 100 Sports Person of the Year Award – Tom Daley (Diving), presented by Sir Matthew Pinsent
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