World Class Programme – 15 Scots named in total as five Para athletes added

Tuesday 19th October 2021

Laura Muir and Owen Miller won our Athlete of the Year titles and both are named for WCP support by British Athletics (photo by Bobby Gavin)

British Athletics website initial announcement

British Athletics website Para announcement 

Scottish athletes are once again well represented on the British Athletics Olympic World Class Programme (WCP) for 2021/22.

No fewer than 10 Scots were named on the funding list from 67 recipients across the various recipients.

Then, on Tuesday, a further five Scottish names were listed for the Para section of the WCP.

It reflects strong performances over the past year including those superb Olympic medals for Laura Muir and Josh Kerr as well as medals at the Paralympics.

There are three athletes on the Relay programme with Nicole Yeargin new to the programme to join Zoey Clark and Beth Dobbin.

Here’s the full list of the Scots involved (with coach in brackets):

Beth Dobbin (Leon Baptiste), Zoey Clark (Ryan Oswald), Callum Hawkins (Robert Hawkins), Josh Kerr (Dany Mackey), Eilish McColgan (Liz McColgan-Nuttall), Laura Muir (Andy Young), Jemma Reekie (Andy Young), Lynsey Sharp (Carol Sharp), Jake Wightman (Geoff Wightman), Nicole Yeargin (Quincy Watts).

Here are the five Scots on the Para list (with coach in brackets):

Sammi Kinghorn (Rodger Harkins), Maria Lyle (Jamie Bowie), Owen Miller (Steve Doig), Derek Rae (Ron Morrison), Melanie Woods (Rodger Harkins).

We send our warm congratulations to these athletes and their coaches and support teams on being recognised for performances at global level.

The WCP is UK Sport’s National Lottery funded initiative supporting the delivery of success at named milestone targets, namely outdoor track World and European Championships and Olympics Games.

The WCP is split into levels reflecting the actual and potential performance levels of athletes: Podium, Podium Potential and Confirmation.

Zoey Clark and Nicole Yeargin are among three Scots (joining Beth Dobbin) on Relay funding

‘As we start the Paris cycle, and longer-term Los Angeles 2028, we made a number of informed decisions in regard to the World Class Programme membership that aligns with our strategic priorities,’ said Sara Symington, Performance Director with UK Athletics.

‘We will work closely with the 67 athlete and coach pairings that we are offering membership to and will look to add support and value in their journey via their individual athlete plan (IAP).

‘The selection process is robust and lengthy, and we use a lot of data which is complemented by the knowledge of our event leads to inform the decision-making process.

‘We have given careful consideration to those athletes who meet the selection criteria and performance matrix which align to the future ambitions of the World Class Programme.

‘In relation to the men’s 4x400m relay athletes we are taking an approach which allows more flexibility and look to support the development of several athletes during this cycle.

‘This support will be offered via camps and training opportunities to a cohort of eligible athletes so that we can build the team towards the longer-term targets of Paris and LA.’

67 athletes offered WCP places

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Paula Dunn with our chief executive, Colin Hutchison, at the National Club Conference (photo by Bobby Gavin)

British Athletics website announcement

A total of 42 athletes have been offered membership to join the British Athletics Paralympic World Class Programme (WCP) for 2021/22.

The WCP is UK Sport’s National Lottery funded initiative supporting the delivery of success at named milestone targets, namely outdoor track World and European championships, and the Paralympic Games.

The WCP is split into several levels reflecting the actual and potential performance levels of athletes: Podium, Podium Potential and Confirmation.

A new Confirmation level has been added to the World Class Programme.

The Athlete Performance Awards (APAs) with this level are designed to support athletes in their first 1-2 years of inclusion on the World Class Programme, to provide a period through which the potential of the athlete is explored and confirmed.

‘Following a successful Tokyo Paralympic Games, the Programme is in a strong position and we have a number of athletes tracking in a strong direction to Paris and Los Angeles,’ said Paula Dunn, Para Athletics Head Coach with UK Athletics.

‘I wish all the athlete and coach pairings the best in their development through the next cycle.

‘With the addition of the Confirmation level, we have brought in four new faces to the WCP. All of the athletes showed their potential during 2021, so we will see how the Programme can add support and value for their development.

‘My thanks as ever go to UK Sport and the National Lottery for their continued support of the World Class Programme which allows our athletes and coaches the opportunity to thrive on the biggest stage of all.

‘And also, a thank you to the coaches, clubs, family, friends and support networks who are essential for the individuals on the Programme to succeed in the right way.’

Full list of Para recipients on WCP

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Tags: Beth Dobbin, Callum Hawkins, Derek Rae, Eilish McColgan, Jake Wightman, Jemma Reekie, Josh Kerr, Laura Muir, Lynsey Sharp, Maria Lyle, Melanie Woods, Nicole Yeargin, Owen Miller, Sammi Kinghorn, World Class Programme, Zoey Clark