Weightlifting Wales are delighted to announced 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 nominations submitted by Weightlifting Wales as part of its ongoing commitment to developing high-performance athletes across Wales.

The funding, provided through SportsAid Cymru Wales, will help support the athletes with costs associated with attending training camps and competitions, including travel, coaching, equipment, recovery support and competition preparation.

The announcement represents another significant milestone in the organisation’s athlete pathway programme as Welsh lifters continue to build towards development international competitions such as the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2027.

Speaking about the announcement, Weightlifting Wales praised the dedication and work ethic shown by the athletes throughout the past year.

“These athletes have consistently demonstrated outstanding commitment, professionalism and potential within both Olympic weightlifting and para powerlifting,” the organisation said.

“The support from SportsAid Cymru Wales is incredibly valuable at this stage of their development and will allow them to continue progressing within our performance pathway.”

SportsAid Cymru Wales focuses on supporting talented young athletes during key developmental years, often helping athletes bridge the gap between grassroots sport and elite international competition. Previous recipients across Welsh sport have gone on to represent Wales and Great Britain at Commonwealth, European, Paralympic and Olympic level.

Among the six recipients are athletes who have already produced strong performances at youth and junior competitions over the last 12 months, with several having represented Wales at national-level events and Home Nations competitions.

The grants arrive during an important period for Weightlifting Wales, which recently launched its new 2026–2030 strategic plan focused on strengthening participation, developing champions and expanding opportunities across the sport.

The governing body has continued to place significant emphasis on nurturing emerging athletes while also increasing opportunities for women and para-athletes within the sport.

SportsAid funding has become increasingly important for developing athletes as the financial demands of high-level sport continue to rise. Training camps, specialist coaching, nutritional support and travel expenses can create substantial barriers for young competitors seeking to progress internationally.

Weightlifting Wales also extended its thanks to SportsAid Cymru Wales for its continued investment into Welsh sport and athlete development.

“We are grateful for SportsAid’s ongoing belief in the future of Welsh weightlifting and para powerlifting,” the organisation added. “This support gives our athletes the opportunity to pursue their ambitions while representing Wales with pride.”

The six athletes are expected to continue competing throughout the 2026 domestic calendar, with major events including the British Championships in Telford and preparations for future international selection opportunities already underway.