No fewer than 51 local men and women have been confirmed for Isle of Man Sport Aid scholarship packages over the next 12 months.

Recipients will receive financial support to help with travel and equipment, as well as providing access to the excellent facilities and advice from the staff at the Isle of Man Sport Institute within the National Sports Centre.

The scholarship packages will come into effect from next Thursday, April 1, and will help them through a programme that will see them act as sporting ambassadors for the island.

Those chosen include motorcycle enduro stars Daniel and Jamie McCanney and international race walker Erika Kelly, who will formally receive their certificates at the Isle of Man Sports Awards ceremony in the Villa Marina on Thursday, June 2.

Isle of Man Sport Aid has played a pivotal role in supporting the island’s top athletes for more than 20 years by helping them to compete at national, international and world level.

Andy Varnom, chairman of IoM Sport Aid, said: ’The investment demonstrates our commitment to helping Isle of Man athletes fulfil their potential.

’The past 12 months has been extremely challenging for those who compete in the UK and further afield, and the ongoing situation has made our selection process harder than normal this year.

’We could not run such a robust programme without the generosity of the third party sponsors and organisations who help, so I would like to say a massive thank you to them.’

Dr Alex Allinson MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture said: ’It has been a tough year full of complications for our sports stars, so I know what a difference these scholarships will make.

’I am confident the recipients will act as fine ambassadors for the island and we will see the Manx flag flying at future events across the world.’

l Tickets for the Isle of Man Sports Awards can be bought from www.villagaiety.com

List of 2021-2022 Isle of Man Sport recipients

Aston International scholarships - James Margrave (athletics); Glen Quayle (athletics); Harry Thompson (rugby). CTH Insurance scholarship - Jenny Newbery (triathlon). Dan Kneen Charitable Fund scholarship - Jamie McCanney (enduro). Duke Travel scholarships - Jed Etchells (enduro); Daniel McCanney (enduro). Elizabeth Clucas Trust scholarships - James Harrison (cycling); Lucy Worthington (gymnastics). Hadrian’s Charity scholarships - Archie Collis (judo); Emma Hodgson (swimming). JR Moore Trust scholarship - Peter Allen (swimming). Nedgroup Investments scholarship - Sean Jackson (football). Ramsey Crookall & Co scholarship - Chloe Chadwick (equestrian). TLC Business Solutions scholarship - Will Draper (triathlon). Top Spec Fencing scholarship - Max Walker (cycling). Tower Insurance scholarships - Conor Davies (cycling); Tom Gandy (golf).

Isle of Man Sport Aid recipients: Matthew Bostock (cycling); Sam Brand (cycling); Alex Bregazzi (swimming); Brandon Cain (snowboarding); Anna Christian (cycling); Mark Christian (cycling); Jonty Cope (rugby); Spencer Cope (rugby); Alan Corlett (athletics); Sinead Cox (equestrian); Ana Dawson (golf); Lea Dawson (golf); Kim Dean (weightlifting); Jed Etchells (enduro); Rachael Franklin (athletics); Ben Grainger (swimming); Tyler Hannay (cycling); Joe Harris (athletics); Elizabeth Holden (cycling); Yasmin Ingham (equestrian); Erika Kelly (athletics); Laura Kinley (swimming); Ollie Lockley (athletics); Leon Mazzone (cycling); Tom Mazzone (cycling); Daniel McCanney (enduro); David Mullarkey (athletics); Tom Partington (athletics); Bevan Rodd (rugby); Stuart Rushmere (hockey); Amelia Sharpe (cycling); Harry Swayne (rugby); Sophie Taylor (equestrian); Joel Watterson (swimming); Cameron Wheeler (rowing).