Talented Performers

Sports men and women with ambitions to be selected to represent Great Britain on the world stage at future Olympic and Paralympic Games and at international competitions, are supported in their training with funding, via SportsAid, from Kent County Council (administered by Active Kent & Medway).  The recipients of this funding include disabled and non-disabled performers for a range of sports. All the athletes are from Kent and are recognised and nominated for the funding support by their sport’s national governing body.

The following talented performers received funding in 2023:

Courtney Tulloch – Gymnastics (Men’s Artistic)

Courtney is a member of the British Men’s Artistic Gymnastics team. In 2022, he won gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, and Team gold medal at the European Championships. Courtney is aiming for Paris 2024.

Follow Courtney on social media:

James Hall – Gymnastics (Men’s Artistic)

James has been a member of the British Men’s Artistic Gymnastics team since 2014. He made the finals in the individual and team event representing Team GB at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. James is aiming for Paris 2024.

Follow James on social media:

Jemima Yeats-Brown – Judo

Jemima is a double Commonwealth medallist (2014 and 2022), 5th in Senior World Championships in Baku 2018, Gold medal in Romania World Cup 2022, BUCS Champion 2019 and 2022. Jemima finished 5th in the 2023 World Championships in Doha.

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Ross Wilson – Table Tennis

Ross has competed in three Paralympic Games winning bronze medals in London in 2012, Rio in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020. He won bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and bronze in class 19 men’s doubles at the 2023 European Championships in Sheffield.

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Will Bayley – Table Tennis

Will has competed in four Paralympic Games – Beijing in 2008, London in 2012, Rio in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020 winning 6 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals. He won gold in Class 7 singles in the European Championships 2023 (European Champion) qualifying him for a place in the Paralympics in Paris 2024.

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Henry Urand – Cycling

Henry is a Paratriathlete and Para-cyclist and a member of the British Triathlon Para development programme. He is the current British Triathlon PTS3 National Champion in both Triathlon and Duathlon. Henry was the 2021 double national cycling champion, in both the MC3 Time Trial and MC3 Circuit Race. On the track he currently holds national bronze medals in both the MC3 Individual Pursuit and Kilo, and BUCS gold medals in Para Mens 200m, Individual Pursuit and Kilo events.

“The SportsAid award supported me in my participation in various competitions and training camps as I transitioned to Para Triathlon, that were crucial for fostering crucial skills and experiences that will contribute to my development as an athlete capable of representing Team GB on an international platform”.

Charlotte Henrich – Athletics (Track)

Charlotte is a British athlete who represents the club Invicta East Kent Athletic Club in Canterbury. She won the 400 meters during the U18 European Athletics Championships 2022. She set a new personal record there with 53.54 in the final, after also setting personal records in the trial heat and the semi-final.

“The Sports Aid award has proven highly beneficial, particularly considering my lengthy commute of over an hour to my training location. The change of coach, necessitating travel from Canterbury to Bromley, along with covering expenses such as a gym membership and petrol money for extensive travel across the country with my mother for competitions, has been enabled by this award. It has allowed me the flexibility to train at any time without feeling burdened by guilt, especially on weekends when I train on both Saturdays and Sundays, as I haven’t been able to secure employment due to my training commitments”.

Kai Barham – Athletics (Field)

Kai is a British athlete and a member of Dartford Harriers. In 2023, he’s ranked 4th U20 (Hammer).

“The award and your support has made a significant impact on my athletic journey, which has helped alleviate the financial strain associated with my training and competition expenses but has also served as a source of motivation and encouragement. The financial award has allowed me to invest more time and energy into my training, enhancing my focus and dedication to achieving my athletic goals. With your support, I have been able to cover essential costs, such as equipment and travel expenses, which are crucial for my development as a hammer thrower”.

Maxime Carolan – Volleyball

Maxime takes part in Volleyball and Beach Volleyball. He’s a member of the England Cadet boys’ team. Maxime was awarded a Gravesham Civic and Community Award for his fundraising and community work to support school friends and people with poor mental health. In October 2023, Maxime met the royals as part of World Mental Health Day.

“My award greatly helped me take my volleyball to the next level. Not only did it help me attend European competitions and training, but it also meant I could attend all my England camps including, covering the cost of food and accommodation. I also got to personally train with an Olympian too! It kept me motivated and always thriving forward as I did not have to constantly worry about costs”.

Lottie Bingham – Hockey

Lottie is a member of England U18 team and attends Junior GB elite development sessions. In 2022, Charlotte won gold at School Games. In 2023, she completed the Junior World Cup in Chile as the youngest in the
team at 17 years old. They came fourth in the tournament.

“With the generous money from Kent County Council, I was able to purchase many things that have aided my journey this year. I was able to buy pieces of equipment such as two adidas stick, a pair of astros, a new glove and a new pair of running trainers to aid my fitness training. This allowed me to have a better performance in my weekly matches and in my trialling, process leading up to the World Cup. Furthermore, this trialling process went on for months, and was every week in Loughborough so Petrol money was expensive over this time. However, with this money I was able to pay these travelling expenses with ease and no worries about what I’d spent!”