Boccia prodigy Ruby Curtis is ready to be inspired by Paris 2024 as she looks to continue in her rapid rise towards achieving her own Paralympic dreams following selection for a prestigious sporting programme.

Morpeth's Curtis, 18, has only been involved in the sport for just over a year and a half, but is already challenging even the most experienced players and has been singled out by charity SportsAid as an athlete with the potential to reach the very top.

With medals in an England shirt under her belt, Curtis has hardly looked back since taking up boccia 18 months ago, citing an instant affection for the game.

“I joined a local sports club and found sporting fun,” she said. “I found my love for it.”

Her mother Lisa Hunter added: “If she keeps going how she’s going, I think we've got a very good chance actually [of making LA 2028].

“In four years time, she’d be quite an experienced player. She’s still quite new compared to a lot of players on the circuit - they've been playing for years and years and she's giving them a run for their money.

“So if she carries on progressing as much as she's progressed, then hopefully she'll do well. She's definitely progressing and improving, and her results are getting stronger.”

“That would be really cool,” Curtis said.

Curtis is one 1,000 athletes supported each year by SportsAid, who provide crucial financial support as well as offering development opportunities through workshops and visits.

These athletes are Great Britain's brightest sporting prospects. They are nominated to SportsAid by the national governing bodies of more than 60 sports based on set criteria from each.

The typical value of a SportsAid award is £1,000 with money generated through a combination of commercial partnerships, trust and charitable funds, and fundraising activities.

The grant has been immensely valuable to Curtis in funding her progression, but it is what she has learnt on the mental side of things that also stands out to her, with the programmes’ seminars on wellbeing and nutrition helping her to live like an athlete.

“I spent the money on competitions and training equipment,” Curtis said. “It was really good [to take the financial burden away].

“SportsAid has helped me keep going. I also like that it goes through mental health.”

“She's been using the money to pay for training on courts, competitions and any associated costs really,” Hunter added.

“We've got equipment but we're always changing and adapting bits of equipment to improve her game and how you play.”

Entain, owner of Ladbrokes and Coral, is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.