By Brook Valley CofE Primary School are excited to be hosting an inspirational workshop with Senior European Champion Gymnast Kirsty Way. Kirsty 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!
By Brook Valley CofE Primary are a happy, purposeful and inclusive school, a place people look forward to going to – children, teachers, parents/carers, governors and visitors-where everyone feels welcome and valued.
Who's Coming?
How I Started
I started trampolining when I was 7. I started because my sister did trampolining, so my mum thought it would be good for me to try it too (although apparently I wasn’t particularly keen). I worked my way up to National level before pushing for a junior world championships in 2015. I started double mini trampoline (DMT) when I was 13. I quickly progressed in this discipline, and fell in love with its high-adrenaline nature and fast pace.
My Greatest Achievement
My greatest achievement is becoming 2018 senior European Champion. I was in shock when it happened- I still can’t believe it today! The field of girls I was competing against was so strong, but my goal was to push for a medal. I remember lining up to compete in the final after a successful preliminary round, thinking ‘come on Kirsty, just do what you do in training and see what happens’. Little did I know I’d stick both of my passes in the box and go on to win the gold. I remember the whole crowd erupted when my name appeared on the score board in first place. It’s a sensation that I can’t quite put into words.
My Greatest Challenge
In 2018 I sustained a knee injury after returning from the World championships in Russia. Doctors and physios were unable to detect what the injury was and I was told to ‘train through the pain’. I couldn’t understand how I could be in so much pain, yet I was told to just ignore it. At this point I started to challenge my mental toughness and resilience. After multiple MRIs, doctors finally realised I had torn my meniscus (cartilage) and I went on to have surgery. I was relieved to know that it wasn’t just a ‘psychological injury’ and that I’m tough enough to conquer any pain if I set my mind to it. 5 months after surgery I qualified for the 2019 World Championships in Tokyo, a competition that I’d set quite ambitious goals for. However, when competing in the final, I sustained a very nasty ankle injury which, again, doctors were not able to identify. I spent months, again, battling this thought that my injury wasn’t ‘real’, only to then be told that my injury is so rare that it had only ever been reported in research 5 times. Having to go through this process twice with a huge challenge, but in the long run I believe it has made me a stronger gymnast.
My Hobbies
In my spare time I love to surf. I am lucky enough to live by the coast, so whenever I have some free time you will find me by the beach. I love anything in the water, especially paddle-boarding and ringo-ing. My favourite food is a tricky one, but I think I’ll have to say mango. Random, I know, but when you get the perfectly ripe mango, there’s nothing that can beat it except possibly a glass of chocolate milk!
My Future Goals
I have separate goals for my sport and my career. As for my career, I am in the process of competing my MSc in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public health. One day I hope to work in the public health field to help the nation adopt a healthier lifestyle. As for my sport, my main goal is to become world champion! I hope to one day be stood on that podium, on the world-stage, singing the national anthem, knowing that I worked my socks off to be the best Double Mini Trampoline gymnast in the world!
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 peoples education/experience. Professional athletes in need of support are the only other beneficiaries from the remaining 40%. Sports For Champions is an audited organisation 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, [pro] 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 35hr 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 realise their potential. Many pro athletes are unsponsored, lose support, or cannot find it.
Sports For Champions offers schools the benefit of an additional funds to go towards resources/facilities, whilst helping athletes with the funds required to sustain their journey with a contribution towards training and competition fees, medical costs, equipment, and more.
By Brook Valley CofE Primary School will be receiving an inspirational visit from Senior European Champion Gymnast Kirsty Way, on the 7th of November 2024 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?
By Brook Valley CofE Primary School is promoting health and wellbeing throughout the school and with the help of a visit from Kirsty Way, this will be enhanced across all year groups and staff, they are also focussing on encouraging diversity and raising the aspirations of the pupils through sport.
By Brook Valley CofE Primary 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 Senior European Champion Gymnast Kirsty Way, to raise funds for key resources for By Brook Valley CofE Primary 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.