Jo Benham

[SportsAid @TeamSportsAid]

David Wilkie MBE, the first ever Sports Aid Foundation award recipient, has sadly passed away aged 70.

David, a university student based in Miami at the time, was deemed a strong medal hope for the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games.

Come Games time, David won gold in the 200m breaststroke, setting a new world record, and silver in the 100m breaststroke.

David, who won Olympic silver four years prior, claimed a plethora of World, European and Commonwealth medals throughout the course of his career.

He was hugely supportive of SportsAid’s work and had also been an employee of the original Foundation.

SportsAid wishes to send its deepest condolences to David’s family and friends.

[SportsAid @TeamSportsAid]

SportsAid is seeking to appoint a new Backing The Best Programme Officer!

The Backing The Best programme, managed by SportsAid for Sport England, works closely with National Governing Bodies to recognise talent and support athletes who face difficulties progressing through their sport’s talent development system without critical financial help.

Backing The Best is a targeted programme which can make a significant impact in providing access and means to a specific group that might otherwise not be given the chance. In this role, the successful candidate will take on the responsibility for administering all aspects of the Backing The Best awards. This includes connecting and engaging with the diverse cohort of athletes and families that SportsAid supports through the Backing The Best programme.

In particular, the successful candidate will be the first point of contact for all Backing The Best related communications; responsible for ensuring award payments are made in a timely manner, analysis of data and gathering insightful themes; and working with the SportsAid team in delivering engagement activities. Those applying will have experience of administering programmes, a passion for sport, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships.

Please apply by emailing your CV and an outline of why you are interested in joining SportsAid to [email protected] by 12pm on Wednesday 29 May 2024.

▶️ https://t.co/ALgcpJmTOw

#SportsAid #SupportTheNext #GreatBritain #Britain #British #Olympics #Paralympics #TeamGB #ParalympicsGB #sport #athlete #athletes #charity #fundraising #equity #opportunities

[The Diversity Dashboard @Diversityjobs4u]

Join us in supporting the next generation of athletes with @TeamSportsAid 's Backing The Best Programme! Sportsaid is seeking to recruit a Backing The Best Programme Officer in London! #SportsAid #Charityjobs #recruiting #Londonjobs

[The Man in Seat 61 @seatsixtyone]

Exactly as feared. Higher prices with far less flexibility and non-refundable.

[SportsAid @TeamSportsAid]

🏆 Athletics star Yemi Mary John crowned winner of SportsAid's One-to-Watch Award 2023 🏆

@NickHopeTV 🎥

Track sensation Yemi Mary John, 20, from Woodford in Essex, has been named as the winner of SportsAid’s prestigious One-to-Watch Award for 2023!

Yemi Mary received the annual Award, supported by Royal Bank of Canada, after an outstanding year which saw her claim gold in the 400m at the European Athletics U23 Championships and two senior relay medals at the World Athletics Championships.

Yemi Mary, who also featured in the top 10 last year having won gold at the World Athletics U20s Championships in 2022, was presented with the Award by 400 metres legend Christine Ohuruogu MBE at Lee Valley Athletics Centre on Monday (18 December). She edged out para cyclist Archie Atkinson, 19, and BMX rider Freia Challis, 15, as they finished in second and third positions respectively.

“It's a really good feeling and it's great to have had this season's achievements recognised!” said Yemi Mary shortly after being presented with the Award. “They caught me off-guard with my Award which was a lovely surprise. Christine has done amazing things, not only in the sport as a whole but in the 400 specifically, so just to have her recognise me and be able to be in a room with such great and successful people is exciting. I appreciated her being there for it.

“I feel like it sets me up for a great trajectory of success and hopefully I will follow in the footsteps of those before [who have won the One-to-Watch Award]. I feel like I'm already on the radar especially because of my first senior season, not only just competing but coming away with medals. The targets I had for the season were hit in the senior field and it solidified my position there and hopefully I can now go further next year.”

Yemi Mary, who dabbled in many sports from gymnastics to MMA when growing up, only started properly competing on the track in 2019. The University of Southern California student has been supported by SportsAid for the last two years and is now determined to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games having made such an impression on the world stage at senior level in 2023.

You can read the full interview with Yemi Mary here ▶️ https://t.co/czvBFa28m7

@Yemi_Mary1 @BritAthletics @EnglandAthletic @USC_Track_Field @AthleticsWeekly @WorldAthletics @InsideTheGames @ChrissyOhuruogu @PDunnPaula @KatharineMerry @DonnaLegz @DanMWagner @Sarah_Winckless @AmaAgbeze @HayleyMcQueen

#SportsAidO2W #SupportTheNext #SportsAid #Olympics #Paralympics #sport #athletes #mentoring #wellbeing #nextgeneration #nextgen #future #talent #charity #fundraising #athletics #trackandfield

[Jo Benham @pheenstar]

This guy… phenomenal… two million percent….

[SportsAid @TeamSportsAid]

🥈 Para cycling superstar Archie Atkinson finishes runner-up in SportsAid’s One-to-Watch Award 2023 🥈

@NickHopeTV 🎥

Para cycling star Archie Atkinson has enjoyed a stellar 12 months and his achievements have not gone unnoticed after he was named as the runner-up in SportsAid’s prestigious One-to-Watch Award 2023.

The 19-year-old, from Heaton Moor in Greater Manchester, experienced an incredible year on the senior circuit having won World Championship gold in the C4 scratch race on the track before taking bronze in the road race in Glasgow. Archie, originally selected as one of 10 shortlisted athletes for the One-to-Watch Award, was surprised to be presented with his trophy by Will Bjergfelt, the C5 road race world champion, at the National Cycling Centre.

The annual Award, launched in 2006, recognises Britain’s brightest young sporting prospects and has previously been won by Olympic champions Tom Daley and Alex Yee and Paralympic gold medallist Hollie Arnold. The top 10 athletes were selected from around 1,000 rising stars, supported by SportsAid, across more than 60 different sports in 2023. And Archie explained how honoured he felt to be recognised for his efforts.

“This is pretty special,” said Archie. “It’s not something I was expecting to happen so it’s a nice award to be given. It’s really nice to be recognised for my achievements this year. There’s obviously the medals and the jerseys but it’s quite nice to see that outside the squad, people are recognising my performances. With the Worlds, I went into it with the same mindset as World Cups. It’s just another race, but there’s a nice stripey jersey at the end. At the Games, there’s a very nice medal at the end of the competition.”

Archie goes into every race with the expectation of winning but he admits there is a little extra pressure on his shoulders going into 2024. He has put himself in a strong position to represent Great Britain at the Paralympics in Paris next summer having claimed three national titles, 10 road and time trial victories and two World Cup podiums this year – and Archie’s family are already confident he will make it.

“My parents, grandparents and uncles have all bought tickets for Paris,” said Archie, who received his SportsAid support from Marsh this year. “So now, there is pressure, I have to go. I have to get a medal at track worlds and the road World Cup and then I should go to the Games hopefully, all being well. I’d be doing road, time trial, kilo and pursuit, basically everything apart from team sprint.

“This year has been madness. It’s been a little bit unbelievable, I came into it not expecting everything that happened. It all happened very quickly. I’ve always been fairly confident, going into everything, I wanted to win it. I’ve got similar expectations for next year, I want to do everything I can and we’ll see what happens.”

You can read the full interview with Archie here ▶️ https://t.co/eT8DsKbgPj

@BritishCycling @BC_TalentDev @ArchieA46240385 @ChrisHoy @StottEllie @Scottie2507 @DameSarahStorey @JodyCundy @Sport_England @MarshMcLennan @TJL1967

#SportsAidO2W #SupportTheNext #SportsAid #Paralympics #Olympics #sport #athletes #mentoring #wellbeing #nextgeneration #nextgen #future #talent #charity #fundraising #cycling #paracycling #track

[SportsAid @TeamSportsAid]

🥉 BMX prodigy Freia Challis claims third place in SportsAid’s One-to-Watch Award 2023 🥉

@NickHopeTV 🎥

BMX star Freia Challis believes leaving the boys behind helped her to secure an emotional third-place finish in SportsAid’s prestigious One-to-Watch Award 2023.

The 15-year-old, from Halstead in Essex, was originally selected as one of 10 shortlisted athletes and was surprised to be presented with her trophy by idol Bethany Shriever at the National Cycling Centre.

The annual Award, launched in 2006, recognises Britain’s brightest young sporting prospects and has previously been won by Olympic champions Tom Daley and Alex Yee and Paralympic gold medallist Hollie Arnold. The top 10 athletes have been selected from around 1,000 rising stars, supported by SportsAid, across more than 60 different sports in 2023.

Freia is following in Olympic gold medallist Shriever’s tyre tracks after the 24-year-old, who also started racing at Braintree BMX Club, came second place in the running for the One-to-Watch Award in 2017.

“It was amazing,” said Freia, who received her SportsAid support from Thompson Trust this year. “I was so shocked when Beth brought the trophy over, I couldn't really believe it at first. “And then it has sunk in as I have looked at the trophy, it is amazing. It is just about getting the sport out there because BMX isn't really well-known, so being nominated and BMX being put out there is a big part of it. But then also recognising all the training that I've done, and the achievements I’ve had is really good and I'm really happy with it.

“My dad said ‘Freia, have you seen the people that have done it before and the winners?’ And just seeing those who have gone on to achieve Olympic medals and gone so far in their sport. Then seeing that I've been recognised for that not even at the peak of my pathway, I'm just so happy and this is definitely a boost in confidence.”

Freia has been recognised after a stellar year where she claimed age-group world and European titles. The Hedingham School student also made the step up to race in the senior women’s category at national level, winning on her debut in the National BMX Racing Series. Previously, Freia competed in the boys’ category and has now been welcomed into the Women’s Championship, which also sees her racing against Shriever.

“I went into the Women's Championship this year after racing in the boys for around four years,” said Freia. “I did my time racing with the boys and I upped my skills, upped my speed in racing and making the step into the women's this year was a positive because it gave me an insight into what the future would be like. Mixing with the girls who are older and racing on the world circuit for GB was really good and obviously to race with Beth was a massive highlight of the year.

“They've taken me under their wing, they treat me like I'm their age. I don't think they really see me as someone younger than them. It's definitely been a good year, meeting new people and making new friendships in that group.”

You can read the full interview with Freia here ▶️ https://t.co/FwGDkj47uZ

#SportsAidO2W #SupportTheNext #SportsAid #Olympics #Paralympics #sport #athletes #mentoring #wellbeing #nextgeneration #nextgen #future #talent #charity #fundraising #cycling #BMX

@BritishCycling @BC_TalentDev @NickHopeTV @BulletsBMX @BethanyShriever @RossCullenn @KyeWhyte @KEvans26 @StottEllie @UCI_BMX_Racing @Sport_England @TJL1967

[European Athletics @EuroAthletics]

Record winning margin…absolutely obliterated! 🤯

Megan Keith’s winning margin of 1:23 in the U23 race was by far the biggest in any race in SPAR European Cross Country Championships history!

[SportsAid @TeamSportsAid]

🏆 SportsAid's One-to-Watch Award shortlist: Maddie Down 🏆

Birmingham's Maddie Down started 2023 with a broken back and ended it as a two-time Commonwealth Youth Games champion. The 16-year-old para athletics star stormed to gold in the women's T38 100m and long jump at Trinbago 2023 less than six months after getting a L5 pars stress fracture in her lower spine.

Maddie's golden year in track and field has now led to being shortlisted in the top 10 for SportsAid’s prestigious One-to-Watch Award. The annual Award, launched in 2006, recognises Britain’s brightest young sporting prospects and has previously been won by Olympic champions Tom Daley and Alex Yee and Paralympic gold medallist Hollie Arnold.

The top 10 athletes have been selected from around 1,000 rising stars, supported by SportsAid, across more than 60 different sports in 2023.

"I've been on the UK Futures programme for a year now and it's helped me so much, so it's an honour to be nominated," said Maddie. "The work SportsAid do to help me compete all around the world is incredible and to now follow in the footsteps of Tom Daley and Hollie Arnold with this nomination is pretty exciting.

"The stress fracture in my back was probably the biggest challenge I've ever had to face in sport. I landed funny in the sandpit, and I couldn’t jump for three months. I had been able to win two golds at the event in Dubai [Sharjah International Open Athletics Meeting] before that, but that period was tough."

Maddie's return came during the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago this summer, when she claimed long jump victory with a jump of 4.70m. The event marked the first time para events had been included in the Games and Maddie hopes her exploits can encourage other disabled youngsters to pursue their sporting dreams.

You can read the full interview with Maddie here ▶️ https://t.co/epptiQkUDY

#SportsAidO2W #SupportTheNext #SportsAid #Olympics #Paralympics #sport #athletes #mentoring #wellbeing #nextgeneration #nextgen #future #talent #charity #fundraising #athletics #parathletics #sprinting #longjump

[England @England]

It's a heartbreaking end for our England Powerchair team, as they are beaten by France on penalties in the #FIPFAPowerchairWorldCup2023 final.

A fantastic effort – and a tournament to be proud of. Well done to all of the players and staff involved. 👊

[The WFA @The_WFA]

🇺🇸 USA 0-1 England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

A fantastic win over the USA help @England progress to the 2023 FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup Final! They will meet current World Champions France at 9:00am (BST) 🤩💥

Rewatch the USA win below: 🇺🇸⬇

https://t.co/ouGDEKMfei

#PowerchairFootball

[Sky News @SkyNews]

The Prince and Princess of Wales went to the mental fitness workshop run by SportsAid. They went head-to-head in netball as they tried to block each other from scoring 🏐

It is part of a week of engagements to mark World Mental Health Day. 👉 https://t.co/dp5J7Fyxqv

[The Prince and Princess of Wales @KensingtonRoyal]

Incredible work from @TeamSportsAid recognising that in the world of sport, a strong mind is just as important as a strong body.

Mental fitness workshops ensure young athletes have the tools to perform to their best both on and off the field - and help them reach new heights 🚀

[SportsAid @TeamSportsAid]

🌍💚 SportsAid has released the findings of its inaugural mental health and wellbeing survey on World Mental Health Day 🌍💚

Nearly half of the respondents feel anxiety affects their sporting performance with 26% saying it can be too difficult to manage at times, according to the survey.

The survey, undertaken in September 2023, was completed by 379 talented young athletes - each of whom are receiving support from SportsAid this year having been nominated to the charity by the national governing bodies of their respective sports.

The findings have highlighted the main factors behind this, the different challenges facing female and para athletes, and the appetite for more support and advice. The survey was entirely anonymous and confidential.

The full findings can be found further down, via the link, but here’s a few key headlines:

💚 9 out of 10 athletes would find it useful to have access to more mental health resources, tools and sessions with the aim of helping them in their day-to-day lives.

💚 62% of athletes feel they have enough knowledge and support to take care of their mental health but nearly a third say that they don’t with 14% not feeling comfortable asking for help.

💚 Two thirds of female athletes experience day-to-day anxiety, compared to just over half of male athletes, with the main factors being sporting performance, body image and friendships.

💚 Two thirds of athletes feel their sporting performance has been the main cause of anxiety in their day-to-day lives alongside school/exams (53%) and money/cost of living (33%).

💚 23% of athletes who rate their mental health as ‘poor’ say they have no access to mental health services - they are also less likely to ask for help than those with ‘good’ mental health.

The respondent group was very diverse. There was a near even gender split (46% male, 54% female) overall. 78% of respondents were able-bodied (297 athletes) with 22% having a disability (82 athletes). 20% of respondents came from ethnically diverse communities. The athletes who completed the survey were spread across 63 different sports – the majority of which are Olympic and Paralympic disciplines.

▶️ https://t.co/fzAdAsVHmk

#SportsAid #SupportTheNext #GreatBritain #Britain #British #Olympics #Paralympics #TeamGB #ParalympicsGB #WorldMentalHealthDay #sport #highperformance #athlete #athletes #charity #fundraising #mentalwellbeing #mentalhealth #mindhealth #learning #education #knowledge #encourage #enable #empower

[Sky Sports News @SkySportsNews]

Zharnel Hughes breaks Linford Christie's British 100m record set in August 1993 ✔️

[England @England]

A fantastic day for our England Cerebral Palsy side, as they beat Ireland 3-1 to reach the 2023 @ifcpf European Championship final! �A fantastic day for our England Cerebral Palsy side, as they beat Ireland 3-1 to reach the 2023 @ifcpf European Championship final! �A fantastic day for our England Cerebral Palsy side, as they beat Ireland 3-1 to reach the 2023 @ifcpf European Championship final! �A fantastic day for our England Cerebral Palsy side, as they beat Ireland 3-1 to reach the 2023 @ifcpf European Championship final! �A fantastic day for our England Cerebral Palsy side, as they beat Ireland 3-1 to reach the 2023 @ifcpf European Championship final! �A fantastic day for our England Cerebral Palsy side, as they beat Ireland 3-1 to reach the 2023 @ifcpf European Championship final! 🙌

[Jo Benham @pheenstar]

https://t.co/22OyZ8j6zw

[Harry Baker @HarryJohnBaker]

Semi-finals day ⚡️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 vs 🇮🇪 2:00 BST
Let’s go 👊🏻🦁

https://t.co/lwjeN0l9Ou

[England @England]

A great start 👏

Our England Cerebral Palsy team beat Spain 3-1 in their first group game at the 2023 @ifcpf European ChampionshipA great start 👏

Our England Cerebral Palsy team beat Spain 3-1 in their first group game at the 2023 @ifcpf European ChampionshipA great start 👏

Our England Cerebral Palsy team beat Spain 3-1 in their first group game at the 2023 @ifcpf European ChampionshipA great start 👏

Our England Cerebral Palsy team beat Spain 3-1 in their first group game at the 2023 @ifcpf European ChampionshipA great start 👏

Our England Cerebral Palsy team beat Spain 3-1 in their first group game at the 2023 @ifcpf European Championship!

[Frank Smith @FrankSmithSport]

Great w/end for #England #Powerchair, winning the Home Nations and having the @OfficialFIPFA World Cup draw.

Great to catch up with #ParaLions and @WBAPowerchair star @marcus22cal to discuss it all.

Shoutout @irishpowerchair for their coverage too 👏

https://t.co/WmeC6C84fp