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SportsAid survey shows importance of investment into talented athletes via programmes like Backing the Best.

Talented young athletes spend, on average, more than £7,000 a year on their sporting endeavours, new research shows.

The figures come from a survey of SportsAid athletes and coincides with the charity’s major fundraising week.

Information from the 650 respondents shows that investment from the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ has risen from £5,022 to £7,089 a year over the last decade.

SportsAid provides both financial and non-financial support to talented young athletes, with their alumni going on to win 69% of Team GB’s medals and 71% of ParalympicsGB’s medals at the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

As part of our Backing the Best programme that's delivered through SportsAid, we provide financial support to more than 100 talented young athletes.

And for our executive director of sport, Phil Smith, the investment is a vital part of our Talent Plan.

“We wish to create the world’s best sporting talent system, which constantly delivers results,” he said.

“For us that means great athletes and great performances, but it also means a system which is open to young people from different backgrounds and circumstances.

“Our investment in SportsAid makes it possible for many more athletes to fulfil their potential.”

Click here for the full press release