Funding boost for Brighouse taekwondo prospect Sam Heppenstall-Batty

The 19-year-old, from Brighouse, described March’s Dutch Open as a “really good experience”, but things then went from one extreme to the other as sport – and much of daily life as we know it – shut down.

Unable to train, Heppenstall-Batty used running as a way of keeping his fitness up in the months that followed and has been gradually getting back to sparring, doing as much as regulations allow.

The Halifax prospect is eager to get back to competing and those aims have been aided by support from GVC Holdings and SportsAid.

Launched in 2019 with the support Paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompson, GVC’s – owner of Ladbrokes and Coral – three-year partnership with SportsAid helps young athletes across the UK each year realise their potential.

Athletes get funding for training, travel and equipment, as well as mentoring by Olympians and Paralympians on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology.

“It is amazing to be part of it,” said Heppenstall-Batty.

“International competitions are only a weekend away but it’s a lot of money – four or five hundred pounds each time.

“The more funding I have, the more competitions I can go to and the more experience I’ll gain, so it will be amazing to be able to do more of them when they are up and running.

“I want to prove to Team GB that I can do it at international level so it’s a big incentive.”

The initiative is part of GVC’s Pitching In, a major new multi-million-pound investment programme designed to support and promote grassroots sports.

The young athletes on the programme are following in the footsteps of legendary figures such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah and Dame Sarah Storey – as well as taekwondo world champion Bradly Sinden, who has acted as inspiration to Heppenstall-Batty.

Craig Whittaker, MP for Calder Valley, said: “It’s fantastic to see that Sam is getting support from Pitching In with GVC and SportsAid, in recognition of his achievements in taekwondo.

“We need to keep on supporting our young athletes, especially at this difficult time for everyone.

“British sporting success is something that can bring us all together and I look forward to everyone in Calder Valley cheering Sam on in the future.”

As part of this three-year partnership, GVC are supporting a diverse group of 50 UK athletes per year from a variety of spots and para-sports. Visit gvc-plc.com to find out more.