Melissa Pagnotta is among six athletes to be nominated for AAP funding ©Getty Images

Six Canadian taekwondo players have been approved for the athlete assistance programme (AAP) for 2017, it has been announced.

The programme is aimed at helping to fund athletes, with the aim of aiming their performances at major international competitions.

It is also targeted at enabling athletes to combine both their sporting careers with either work or academic studies, while training intensively.

Sport Canada and Taekwondo Canada have approved Melissa Pagnotta, Christopher Iliesco, Yvette Yong and Andrea Jerom for the programme.

Ashley Kraayeveld and Marc-Andre Bergeron have also been selected to receive funding.

“National Sport Organisations (NSO) may nominate eligible athletes for senior or development cards according to their published NSO approved AAP compliant carding criteria up to the maximum of the monetary value of the senior card quota,” Sport Canada APP policies state.

Christopher Iliesco, left, has also been selected to receive funding ©Getty Images
Christopher Iliesco, left, has also been selected to receive funding ©Getty Images

Taekwondo Canada has a total of seven cards available for the programme, which has a total value of CAD$126,000 (£74,600/$95,500/€84,000).

The final spot looks set to be awarded to either Jordan Stewart or Skylar Park.

Their nominations are currently on hold, subject to the conclusion of an appeal process.