Weightlifting Wales are delighted to announce that six of its promising young athletes have been awarded prestigious SportsAid Cymru Wales grants for 2026, providing beneficial financial support to the next generation of Welsh weightlifting and para powerlifting talent.

The successful athletes: Noah Ellson, Llewellyn Waits, Bethan Harry, Charlie Ellis-Perry, Nyarai Hector, Joshua Grist, were selected following carefully selected nominations from within the development squad who have consistently demonstrated outstanding commitment, professionalism and potential throughout the past year. Whilst also targeting the nominations towards athletes who haven't been recipients of the grant before. This award helps form part of Weightlifting Wales ongoing commitment to nurturing emerging talent across Wales, following the recent release of the new strategic plan earlier this year. 

The funding, provided through SportsAid Cymru Wales, will help support the athletes with costs associated with attending training camps and competitions, why may include travel, coaching, equipment, recovery support and other competition preparation. This comes at a key time for our youth athletes as they continue to build towards development international competitions such as the Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta next year.

SportsAid Cymru Wales focuses on supporting talented young athletes during key developmental years, often helping athletes manage the constantly rising costs of trying to reach elite international selection. Previous recipients across Welsh sport have gone on to represent Wales and Great Britain at Commonwealth, European, Paralympic and Olympic level.

Weightlifting Wales would like to provide it's extended thanks to SportsAid Cymru Wales for its continued investment into Welsh sport and athlete development. Their support gives our athletes the opportunity to pursue their ambitions of representing Wales with honor and pride.