Bosmere Junior School are excited to be hosting an inspirational workshop with Serena Vincent. Serena needs your help to raise funds for vital training, medical and competition costs. This money will also help your school and other athletes across the country, find out more below!
The Bosmere Junior School is a caring community, where the health, happiness and success of everyone is nurtured and celebrated.
Who's Coming?
How I started:
I started Shot Putt in primary school when my librarian told me I should join an athletics clubs because I was a cross country runner at the time. I joined Portsmouth Athletics club because my friend was already a member, and I have been there since! I got injured between the ages of eight and 12, this affects my feet so I tried some different disciplines and landed on Shot Putt. I didn’t take to it immediately, but as I progressed I found that I liked the sport and continued to stick with it and compete!
My Greatest Achievement:
My greatest achievement is winning the first British gold medal in the U23 Women’s Shot Putt at the European Throwing Cup. Following that I won a silver medal at the U23 European Championships. These were both a first, the gold being the first ever gold medal won by a British female Shot Putter at the European Throwing Cup, and the second being the first medal by a Great British female Shot Putter at an U23 European Championships. Going into the U23 European Championships I was ranked #3 but I knew myself that I was capable of moving up another rank. I knew that I wanted to earn a silver medal, and although I was nervous I went in and did just that!
My Greatest Challenge:
My greatest challenge has been overcoming the opinions of other people, coaches and officials from the sport’s governing body were telling me that I was too small, or that I had to change things about the way I threw. Throughout my career I have learned to love driving people wrong and have managed to let my performances speak for themselves. In addition to this I broke my finger in the middle of the competition, but didn’t know because I was full of adrenaline. Following the event I couldn’t understand how such a small break could put me out of the sport for four months, but my physio put it into perspective that if I had the same injury in my ankle I would be in a boot and on crutches!
My Hobbies:
Outside of Shot Putt I love animals, I have two dogs, and I also love to bake, cook, and go travelling. I don’t get a ton of time outside of my sport, but whenever I have the time I will always either be spending my time with friends and family or I’ll be generally active outside of my sport like taking my dogs out for a walk.
My Future Aspirations:
In the future I hope to be throwing over 18m, become the UK no.1, and break the Shot Putt record that my own coach set over 40 years ago! I am also hoping to compete for Great Britain in the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and also the LA 2028 Olympics.
Who are Sports For Champions?
Great news! Sports For Champions UK (CIC) will soon visit your school! Your young people have been invited to join a sponsored fitness circuit led by a Professional athlete, who will educate, enable, and empower participants with a view to inspiring them to be the champions of tomorrow.
While we're not all athletically inclined, we strongly encourage participation; all young people have talent and require inspiration to pursue their dreams - whatever they may be!
After 12 years of success, we have perfected our inspirational events, and they are guaranteed to deliver for your school and pupils!
Sports For Champions events are held in support of schools, which keep 60% of the funds raised to spend on resources that will enrich young people's education/experience. Professional athletes in need of support are the only other beneficiaries from the remaining 40%. Sports For Champions is an audited organization that is voluntarily registered with the Fundraising Regulator, meaning you can support the initiative with assurance.
What will happen on the day?
During the assembly, Sports For Champions athletes show medals and tell their story, hard work, lessons, and insights shared to capture the imagination of all and inspire healthier active lifestyles. Athletes discuss challenges on the road to success, with resilience, nutrition, diet, and dedication forming key topics. Fitness is essential for every young person’s general wellbeing in physical and mental health. It is also proven to be a strong booster of learning potential or brain power. By inspiring children as champions of tomorrow, Sports For Champions envision young people developing in all walks of life as healthy, active, community-minded participants in society.
Alongside Team Sports For Champions, athletes engage in invaluable work within local communities to support their training-related costs (e.g. physio/travel). Most world-class athletes train a rigorous 35-hour week and struggle to find reliable work that fits their schedule. This is how the funds we raise enable athletes and your school/club to realize their potential. Many pro athletes are unsponsored, lose support, or cannot find it.
Sports For Champions offers schools the benefit of additional funds to go towards resources/facilities, whilst helping athletes with the funds required to sustain their journey with an contribution towards training and competition fees, medical costs, equipment, and more.
Bosmere Junior School will be receiving an inspirational visit from Serena Vincent on the 31st of January 2025 and we need your support!
The pupils will benefit from physical activity through our fitness circuit, an inspirational talk including medal display, and a Q&A session.
Where does the money go?
When parents and guardians offer their support to a Sports for Champions UK (CIC) fundraising event, they are nurturing not only their children's immediate environments but also the bright futures of many rising athletes. Here is a breakdown of how your contributions make a significant difference:
For each fundraising event, Sports For Champions looks to raise enough money to cover the costs that it takes to provide such an excellent service nationally. Once that goal is reached, surplus funds are allocated in a way that benefits both the school and our passionate athletes – 60% for the school’s continued growth and 40% contributing to the athlete fund.
At the core of the Sports For Champions UK (CIC) initiative is the Athlete Fund. Primarily, the fund aids schools in less economically privileged areas that might struggle with costs, ensuring that the administrative fee isn’t a barrier to vital opportunities. Additionally, it assists our dedicated athletes in moments of pressing need, whether it’s recovering from injuries, procuring advanced equipment, or embarking on warm-weather training camps. Our fundamental belief remains unwavering: no school should be compromised for its economic stance, and every promising athlete deserves a fair shot at excellence. Our commitment ensures no child or school is left behind due to circumstances beyond their control.
Challenges Athletes Face: Our partnering pro athletes and Team GB Olympians have a world of responsibilities on their shoulders. They juggle between a rigorous training schedule that demands over 35 hours a week and their personal commitments. This often leaves them with limited time and resources to focus on their careers, leading to financial constraints. Expenses for equipment, training, coaching, travel, and more pile up, making it a challenge for these athletes to perform at their best and represent Great Britain.
Why is this important?
Bosmere Junior School is promoting health and wellbeing throughout the school, and with the help of a visit from Serena Vincent, this will be enhanced across all year groups and staff. They are also focusing on encouraging diversity and raising the aspirations of the pupils through sport.
Bosmere Junior School will benefit from the money raised as they will be able to provide new equipment, fund opportunities for the children, and more.
How can you help?
We're asking all parents to help make it a memorable event for the pupils with the help of Serena Vincent, to raise funds for key resources for Bosmere Junior School.
If you are a local business or a friend of the school and would like to contribute to help us get to our target, then please do make a donation and share our project as far as you can.