Divers receive boost from Backing the Best programme

Two divers are set to benefit from the latest wave of SportsAid funding through the Backing the Best programme.

Ben Cutmore and Richelle Houlden are among 115 up-and-coming athletes who have been selected to receive the financial support and expertise.

Dive London’s Ben recently claimed silver medals in the platform and 3m at the Dresden Youth Diving Meet in April. And Richelle, from City of Sheffield, is no stranger to the international stage either having topped the podium in the 1m springboard at the CAMO Invitational Diving Championships in Montreal, Canada, last December.

SportsAid manages Backing the Best on behalf of Sport England. Now in its third year, it supports those who would face difficulties on the talent development programme without financial help. All successful athletes have displayed outstanding ability in their sport.

Expert mentoring

Olympic silver medallist Keri-anne Payne shared insights and guidance when she joined the athletes and their parents at a SportsAid workshop held at Loughborough University last month. She said: “It has been so good to see the young athletes contributing to the whole day, to see them getting involved and asking questions.”

Ironman John McAvoy and weightlifter Zoe Smith also joined the group. The workshop included information about performance lifestyle management, nutrition, sports psychology and working with the media. Parents also had a specific session tailored to help them.

Phil Smith, Sport England’s Director of Sport, said: “Talent and effort alone should determine who reaches the top in their sport. Yet many aspiring high performance athletes have had to consider whether they can continue to pursue their sporting ambitions due to the mounting costs of competition, training, travel and specialist equipment facing them, and their families, at critical points in their development.

“Backing The Best is helping to level the playing field by providing aspiring athletes with the additional support to relieve this financial pressure and give these up-and-coming athletes the opportunity to fulfil the promise they have shown.”