John Hayward’s Legacy Helps Skaters Achieve Their Dreams

In 2024 the John Hayward Athlete Support Fund was introduced by British Ice Skating to support up and coming figure skaters reach their potential. In the first year of funding, six young athletes received financial awards to support their skating ambitions, with the funds helping with the cost of equipment, training camps, competition entries and other skating-related learning opportunities.

John Hayward

The awards are funded by the John Hayward Memorial Challenge, named in memory of John Hayward, a young man who had a passion for ice skating but faced financial challenges pursuing his skating dreams. John’s mother Angela notes:

“I was immensely proud of what John achieved, because in his short life he managed to reach his dream of working and entertaining on ice. At the start of his journey we found it impossible to gain sponsorship for young skaters which sadly can still be the case today. John was a very caring and compassionate young man and I know he would be delighted that his legacy is helping others to achieve.”

Junior Men's podium 2024 British Figure Skating Championships: Edward Solovyov (centre) with Lloyd Thomson (left) and Jack Donovan (right)

The awards have already made a real difference for the first round of recipients, including Edward Solovyov, who has gone on to become the British Junior Men’s Champion. The funds helped pay for Edward to attend an international skating camp - a chance to train and hone his skills with top-level athletes and coaches from other countries. On the support received, his team said:

“We are extremely grateful and proud for Edward to be chosen for John Hayward funding, we’re pretty sure there were plenty of worthy nominations and being chosen to receive it is an achievement in itself. Recognition of the efforts, dedication and passion Edward and the team behind him puts into his skating means a lot to all of us.”

Isla Shenton with partner Joel Kirby (right) following their British Championships win, with silver medallists Leah Coley and Jacob Casey.

Fellow recipient Isla Shenton used the funds to pursue an interest in pairs skating:

“The grant so far has allowed me to travel to Dundee to try out pair skating at a British Ice Skating pairs camp. This is something I have always wanted to try…A massive thank you to John Hayward and his family for these funds. They really have already made such a difference.”

Isla and her partner Joel Kirby went on to win the Advanced Novice Pairs category at the British Figure Skating Championships.

Recipients for the second year of funding awards have recently been selected, and we look forward to seeing how the support helps them work towards their skating goals.

“It has been an absolute privilege to be on the panel for the John Hayward Athlete Support Fund.  The level of interest and the many strong applications made it a very difficult process, but shows the need for a fund like this.  We hope to keep honouring the memory of John through the good work of this fund for many years to come.”

Matthew Miller - JH Committee member

Edward Solovyov pictured at the 2024 British Championships with Angela Hayward and Richard Hillier

“The delight I felt when Edward Solovyov won in 2024 made all the effort worthwhile, just to see the joy from his family. We are now entering our 2nd year of funding and we would like to thank Robin Cousins, the selection committee, and the magnificent BIS team for all they have done to make this possible.” 

– Angela Hayward and Richard Hillier

It was John Hayward's zest for life, love of performing and dedication to his skating that prompted the family to set up a Fund in his name, to help aspiring skaters fulfil their dreams.