Entain reveals class of 2021 SportsAid recipients

Entain has announced the latest list of 50 young British athletes the company will support through its partnership with SportsAid. The tie-up, now in its third year, will see the FTSE 100 operator provide the selected athletes with an annual award of £1,000 to contribute towards competition and training costs, including travel, accommodation, equipment and kit. The 50 recipients, who cover 24 sporting disciplines, are considered to be among the brightest prospects after having been nominated to SportsAid by their national governing bodies. Notable awardees this year include archer Louisa Piper, track and field stars Charles Dobson and Joel Clarke-Khan, para table tennis player Craig Allen, as well as swimmer Charlotte Rigg and wheelchair basketball’s Dylan Wade. A total of 14 athletes who received support in 2020 have been re-nominated and continue on the programme in 2021. 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.” Meanwhile, Tim Lawler, chief executive of SportsAid, commented: “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.” The collaboration is part of the Entain Foundation’s Pitching In investment programme that supports and promotes grassroots initiatives at a time when Covid-19 has thrown up unprecedented challenges.