Paige Attwell first from Army Strongwoman included in Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme

British Army Sport have released the list of recipients for the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme in 2026, with Corporal Paige Attwell the first from the sport of Strongwomen to be included.

Cpl Attwell, who is also involved with the Army Fury women's ice hockey team, was recognised for a spectacular 2025 that saw her nominated for the Sportswoman of the Year award.

The 2025 Army Sportsman of the Year is included on the list of athletes involved, as Taekwondo's Guardsman Thandor Dlamini continues to rise in the sport.

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Other notable names to receive elite athlete status are Signaller Jess Sprules, who has represented Great Britain's ice hockey team, European bronze medal winner BJJ star Sergeant Josh Gibbs, and Corporal Jasmine Holmes, who competes in IRONMAN triathlon races.

It wasn't just competitive athletes who were recognised, as officials were also included in the list. Rugby union's Major Nikki O'Donnell is a leading official in the women's game with the PWR, as well as previously taking charge at a World Cup.

Corporal Andrew Cook won the Army official of the year award in 2024 and has officiated at the top level of the UK's ice hockey scene.

A TASS briefing day in the Army School of Physical Training on 16 April has been scheduled, with all athletes expected to attend.

All Army athletes included in the list:

• Lance Corporal Simon Hale – Cycling
• Staff Sergeant Val Hefer – Clay Target shooting
• Signaller Freer – Taekwondo
• Corporal Lawrence – Sky Diving
• Captain Attwood – Sky Diving
• Lance Corporal Jordan Hardaker – Hockey
• Corporal Timo Lindgren – Ice Hockey
• Staff Sergeant Spencer Graham –  Taekwondo
• Corporal Maddie Hempell – Tug of War
• Craftsman Sam Robinson – Ice Hockey
• Lance Bombardier Griffin – Tug of War
• Corporal Andrew Cook – Ice Hockey
• Captain Lawrence – Taekwondo
• Guardsman Smith – Wrestling
• Corporal Paige Atwell – Strongwoman
• Major Nikki O'Donnell – Rugby Union
• Corporal Alex Lilburn – Sky Diving
• Lance Corporal Nathan Carter – Biathlon
• Lance Corporal Harris – Bobsleigh
• Signaller Lewis Bagguley – Gymnastics
• Lieutenant Kate Olding – Athletics
• Staff Sergeant Smith – Football
• Private Josh Greenfield – Powerlifting
• Second Lieutenant Ben Cookson – Clay Target shooting
• Sergeant Dean Williamson – Athletics
• Sergeant Aled Smith – Biathlon
• Second Lieutenant Michael Todd – Rugby Union
• Lieutenant Colonel Jim Crompton – Judo
• Signaller Jess Sprules – Ice Hockey
• Corporal Jasmine Holmes – Triathlon
• Captain Max Walker – Athletics
• Private Ollie Welsh – Biathlon
• Corporal Scott Rawlings – Hockey
• Lieutenant Colonel Anna Lea – Sky Diving
• Captain Naomi Metcalfe – Cycling
• Corporal Elgar – Ice Hockey
• Sapper Dean Molnar – Clay Target shooting
• Captain Wesley Cann – Clay Target shooting
• Lance Corporal Luke Markham – Biathlon
• Captain Rosie Wild – Triathlon
• Guardsman Thandor Dlamini – Taekwondo
• Second Lieutenant Hannah Cozens – Hockey
• Lance Corporal Jess Burgess – Clay Target shooting
• Lance Corporal Morgan Baker – Shooting
• Lance Corporal Ricky Bellingham – BJJ
• Sergeant Josh Gibbs – BJJ
• Corporal Ian Spridgeon – Ice Hockey