The winners of the 2024 Ron Harrod Foundation have been selected!

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The 2024 Ron Harrod Foundation winners have been selected!

Now in its sixth year of supporting talented young athletes, the Ron Harrod Foundation shows no sign of slowing down! First created in honour of our eponymous founder, the Ron Harrod Foundation provides funding to aspiring local athletes across Norfolk and Suffolk.

This year's winning recipients are:

  • Alfie Rich
  • Charlie Mckinnon
  • Eden Daniels-Sutton
  • Hiraani Wagner
  • William Ellard
  • Mason Jessup
  • Serena Grace

Meet Alfie, Skier, Age 13

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Alfie Rich is a 13-year-old skiing prodigy from Beccles, Suffolk who looks set to be a fixture in the UK and international skiing scene for years to come.

Alfie's ambition is to make the GB Youth Olympic squad for 2028. Given his exceptional performances for the Norfolk Ski Race Team he has every chance, especially with his newly secured Ron Harrod funding.

Since age six, Alfie's talent has been obvious – and his progress has been rapid. In his age group, Alfie is ranked third in the whole country and seventh in the world, with his position having every possibility of climbing higher.

Meet Charlie, Swimmer, Age 16

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A swimming star in the making, 16-year-old Charlie Mckinnon has been honing his talents in the pool since age eight.

Charlie, a Lowestoft local, started at the St Felix School Swimming Club when he was 13 and has since racked up club records and county medals alike. His reputation has grown as his accolades have become more prestigious – he has exceled at inter county competitions and even placed on the medal table at the Scottish National Championships.

Meet Eden, Footballer, Age 11

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A future Lioness in the making, Eden Daniels-Sutton is certainly one to watch in the fast-faced world of women's football. She was quickly scouted for the Ipswich Town Foundation and even moved up a year to the Under-12s, such is her talent.

Aged just 11, Eden has the world at her feet. In addition to the Ron Harrod funding, she was also named Norfolk Women & Girls' Football League Player of the Year, ahead of thousands of others.

Meet Hiraani, Ballet Dancer, Age 14

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Ballet is an artform that 14-year-old Hiraani Wagner is already mastering.

Hiraani's desire and dedication to achieving her dream of being a classical ballet dancer sees her practicing for 24 hours every week. Her training is clearly paying off, as evidenced by her numerous achievements, such as her great success at the ISTD Ballet Awards, where she competed against dancers from the UK and abroad.

While showing her skills at the Suffolk Festival of Music and Dance, Hiraani also took home an accolade for Best Ballet Performance for 12–18–year–olds and another for the participant most likely to have a dance career.

Already having qualified for the All England Regional Finals, the sky is the limit for young Hiraani.

Meet William, Swimmer, Age 17

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The second superb swimmer to receive this year's funding, 17-year-old William Ellard has one eye firmly on the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

As an S14 swimmer, William has excelled in numerous county and regional championships and attended competitions around the country, in Birmingham and Manchester, and even abroad in Berlin.

All of this requires hard work: Will trains eight times a week with the St Felix School Swimming Club and also finds time to attend strength training with a PT at Waterlane Leisure Centre in Lowestoft.

Meet Mason, Powerboat Racer, Age 15

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Mason Jessup from Lowestoft has, quite literally, made waves thanks to his early career as a powerboat racer.

Mason's dream is to become a British champion and, with the support of the Ron Harrod Foundation's funding for boat maintenance and fuel, he has every chance to do just that.

15-year-old Mason has a positive attitude and is ready for whatever waters await him in the future!

Meet Serena, Runner, Age 21

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We are delighted to announce that the Ron Harrod Foundation is sponsoring sprinting sensation 21-year-old Serena Grace for a third year.

Serena has continually raised the bar for herself, having recently become the Eastern and Essex 200m Champion as well as claiming Silver in the 60m in the same competition.

Her incredible talent has even attracted attention Stateside, where she achieved sports scholarship offers from 10 top US colleges. Serena decided on Lipscomb University in Nashville and we wish her the best of luck.

Meet the judges

To judge this year's prize the Ron Harrod Foundation brought in three sporting experts:

1. Natasha Thomas, Ipswich Town Woman's all-time leading goal scorer, who was looking for someone with "the desire and determination to put their all into what they love, no matter how hard it gets."

2. Nicola Butler, owner of Peak Fitness & Training, who knows that "locations for trials are often in major cities that are difficult for deprived area-living athletes to attend" and hopes the funding can offer a lifeline.

3. Megan Todd, Girls' & Women's Football Development Manager (and midfielder) at Norwich City, who was looking for someone "dedicated to their sport" and who "works hard regardless of the circumstances or challenges they have faced or may be facing."

Do you know a young athlete that deserves a Ron Harrod Foundation prize?

For 70 years Harrod Sport has been manufacturing high quality sports equipment that will be used by the superstars of the future! From an array of football training equipment that Eden can practice with, to an array of athletics equipment for tomorrows track stars Harrod Sport is always ready to play its part.

Nominations for 2025 will reopen in October of this year. The application form will be available on our website with further details to be released closer to the date.