Paddle UK has today announced the final cohort of athletes who will be supported within the canoe sprint and paracanoe pathways for the 2026 season.
James Train, Head of Performance Development for Canoe Sprint, said:
“There have been some excellent performances this year across the U23 and Junior teams. Through the Sprint Performance Academies and the GB Junior Training Squad we will provide support to athletes to achieve their goals and continue their progression over the next year. We look forward to working with them and their coaches as we build into 2026.
“After the success of launching additional support for senior athletes through the High Performance Community in 2025 we are pleased to be continuing this support into next season. This is meaningful support focussed on providing access to facilities and coaching to help athletes to continue the development.”
About the Paracanoe Academy, Ekaitz Saies, Performance Director for Paddle UK for canoe sprint and paracanoe added:
“There have been some breakthrough performances this year from the Para- Academy athletes and we will continue to support them to achieve their ambition and continue the legacy of paracanoe in Great Britain.”
Sprint Performance Academy
Amy Green (Worcester)
Gabriel Popham-Coveley (Nottingham Kayak Club)
Dylan O’Connor (Richmond)
Xavier Hinves (Southampton)
Benji Cabrera (Fowey)
Katie Pocklington (Nottingham Kayak Club)
Haydyn Cooke-Bayley (Nottingham Kayak Club)
Michael Motha (Addlestone)
Nelson Kinzler (Richmond)
Will Short (Elmbridge)
Alexander Worgan (Richmond)
Annabel Hutchinson (Reading)
Mollie Ball (Devizes)
Frankie Scrivener (Falcon)
Sophie Dunlop (Elmbridge)
Toby Bullock (Exeter)
Andre Hinves (Southampton)
Will Stevely (Scottish Performance Squad)
High Performance Community
Abi Burgess (Wey Kayak Club)
Lucy Guest (Nottingham Kayak Club)
Jessie Urquhart (Nottingham Kayak Club)
Elise Montagna (Royal)
Beth Gill (Nottingham Kayak Club)
Afton Fitzhenry (Canoe Northern Ireland)
Matthew Collinge (Nottingham Kayak Club)
Philip Miles (Royal Leamington Spa)
Tom Holland (Wey Kayak Club)
Matthew Johnson (Nottingham Kayak Club)
Tom Lusty (Solihull)
James Russell (Nottingham Kayak Club)
Great Britain Junior Training Squad
Olivier Mazur (Reading)
Tom Hatton (Richmond)
Sam Dickson (Falcon)
Freddie Heard (Exeter)
Annie Bates (Richmond)
Matilda Burton (Elmbridge)
Isabella Keane (Richmond)
Isaac Aveson (Richmond)
Imogen Field (Elmbridge)
Sienna Green (Wolverhampton)
Ruth Shephard (Reading)
Freddy Fowler-Rimell (Worcester)
Doogal Barnett (Reading)
Arthur Hunter-Hopkins (Devises)
Tom Patterson (Scottish Performance Squad)
Louis Smith (Worcester)
Ben Eskriett (Gailey)
Marcell Nagy (Reading)
Sam Sparks (Royal Leamington Spa)
Henry Pitt (Royal)
Para Academy
Luke Aston (Royal Leamington Spa)
Taylor Gough (Royal Leamington Spa)
Charlie Knowlden (Royal Leamington Spa)
Tom Price (Royal Leamington Spa)
Finlay Stallard (Fladbury)
Lindsay Thorpe (4As)
About:
The Paddle UK Canoe Sprint Performance Academy supports U23 athletes with their development, helping them to improve and potentially transition into the World Class Programme.
The Canoe Sprint Performance Community provides athletes who have not gained a place on the WCP or Academy with access to training facilities and expertise to support their development.
The Paracanoe Academy provides athletes with opportunities to engage in the training environment and support their continued development through national based camps.
The GB Junior Training Squad delivers an annual series of camps and developmental opportunities that are complementary to club provision where the fastest juniors in England, Scotland, Wales and N Ireland come together to learn and enhance their skills.