Who we help
For the future of British sport
SportsAid helps young disabled and non-disabled athletes to achieve their ambitions.
These athletes are typically aged 12 to 18* and include some of Britain’s brightest hopes for future Olympic and Paralympic success.
Research published in 2012 showed that these athletes:
- Typically train for more than 15 hours a week on top of school or college commitments
- Travel 650 miles a month to train and compete
- Spend more than £6,400 a year on their sport.
At this stage of an athlete's career, sponsorship deals can be hard to find, so most rely entirely on their family and SportsAid for financial support.
* While most SportsAid athletes are between the ages of 12 and 18, the age range does vary by sport and particularly for disability sports, which often nominate older athletes for SportsAid Awards.
Meeting the cost of training and competing
Competing at the national and international level takes a huge amount of physical, mental and financial commitment.
SportsAid Awards help them to meet essential costs such as travel, training, accommodation, competition fees and equipment.
The nomination process
Talented athletes are nominated to SportsAid for financial support by their sport’s national governing body (NGB). This ensures the right athletes are helped at the right time in the right way.
Paralympic champion swimmer Giles Long MBE (right) was supported by SportsAid in 1995. He said, "SportsAid came into my life when I was struggling.
"I was a student with little money and had little in the way of international success to attract sponsorship. Their belief and financial support helped me to give that crucial extra edge to achieve my goal.”
How to find out if you qualify
To find out if you could qualify for a SportsAid Award, contact your sport’s NGB directly.
More information about our awards criteria is available in the the Sports We Support section.
Equal opportunities for all
The following section outlines SportsAid's equality and diversity statement:
Also in this section
SportsAid's Patron
As SportsAid’s patron, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge is helping to shine a light on the achievements and potential of young athletes throughout the UK – an inspiring generation who one day hope to represent the nation at the Olympic or Paralympic Games. SportsAid alumnus Sir Chris Hoy welcomed the patronage by saying, “SportsAid played an important role when I was starting out so I know what a huge boost this will be to the young sportsmen and women the charity helps today. As patron Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge will give them the profile they deserve.”
