Paralympic medallist Bly Twomey is among a record number of athletes joining the DiSE programme this year.

The new cohort has been selected for 2026-28 following an open application process, and Twomey is among 18 athletes from around the Home Nations to be included.

Also included are Abraham Sellado, Kacper Piwowar and Adam Alibhai, who have all represented England at the European Youth Championships.

The full DiSE 2026-28 cohort is: Adam Alibhai, Callum Allaway (Jersey), Sam Batty, Hassan Damji, Calina Dawson, Ziad El-Hassan, Aneurin Evans (Wales), Euan Jack, Evie Knaapen, Jacob Morgan-Davies (Wales), Kacper Piwowar, Angad Saggu, Abraham Sellado, Bly Twomey, Millie Ufton, Adam Watson, Daisy Watson, Maja Wojcicka (Scotland).

The new intake had their induction session online over the weekend. The total DiSE cohort now stands at 36 – last year’s initial intake of 15 was later increased by three.

The DiSE programme, administered by SportsAid and delivered in partnership with South Gloucestershire & Stroud College in Bristol, combines studying with high-quality table tennis training and competition and is delivered through a mix of camp-based activity and online workshops and meetings.

The students will carry out 12 units of work, with eight to be completed this academic year and the remaining four in 2027/28. They include anti-doping, nutrition, lifestyle, publicity, and cultures, values and behaviours.

There will be five camps per academic year, plus one international training camp between Years 1 and 2, and potentially an international competition during Year 2.

Students also have access to the Coaching Assistant qualification, as well as a first aid qualification.

DiSE Programme Lead Paul Johnson said: “We have been awarded by SportsAid and SGS College a record number of allocated places for the DiSE programme this coming academic year.

“This is a fantastic step forward, not only for the programme, but also for the students, as it means that more and more players are being given the opportunity to access this excellent qualification.”

Head of Pathway (Interim) Natalie Green added: “We are extremely pleased to welcome 18 new athletes into the DISE programme this year. The increase in allocated spaces from SportsAid recognises how we have developed the programme over the past 2-3 years, in partnership with our academic provider South Gloucestershire & Stroud College in Bristol. 

“This programme offers the athletes a unique opportunity to blend both the practical and off-table elements of becoming a high-class table tennis player, whilst also enabling them to gain UCAS points towards university entry. 

“This will play a part in strengthening the performance pathway and we look forward to supporting the athletes on their journey through DISE and beyond.”

What is DiSE?

DiSE (Diploma in Sporting Excellence) is a specialised qualification for students who have the chance to demonstrate and develop their capacity to meet the demands of a high-performance sports performer.  

DiSE aims to support young athletes in the talent system to combine sport and education so that they have the skills, knowledge and competence to pursue sporting excellence alongside developing the skills and qualifications for a post-sport career.  

DiSE provides a comprehensive syllabus to support young athletes to gain an additional qualification and achieve their full potential within the NGB talent pathway as well as their future career. 

SportsAid, which manages DiSE on behalf of Sport England, is a charity which also currently manages the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS), the Backing The Best programme and the core SportsAid Award programme, all of which support aspiring young top-class athletes.