Chobham Academy are excited to be hosting an inspirational workshop with Scottish International Netballer Charlotte Dunkley. Charlotte 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!
"Chobham Academy are a community who work hard to support each other – both staff and students – as everyone who attends the school believe people do best when they are happy and feel a sense of belonging."
Who's Coming?
How I started:
I started playing Netball at the age of ten. I was introduced to Netball through my primary school who advised my mum to take me to my local Netball club because I was very tall for my age. My first experience was super positive and I felt like a blended in as everyone else was also quite tall for their age, and after a few sessions I felt like I knew that Netball was the sport I wanted to pursue. Before this I was competing in athletics and practised martial arts, and continued to compete in them until I was 13 when I ended up choosing Netball.
My Greatest Achievement:
My greatest achievement is signing my first professional contract at the age of 18 years old for Surrey Storm and this year signing a contract with Saracen Mavericks. I had been at Surrey Storm for my whole life, but then left as I was offered a better contract with the Saracen Mavericks! I was also selected for the Scottish Thistles long squad for the world cup coming up this summer!
My Greatest Challenge:
My greatest challenge to date was breaking both of my hips at the age of 13, this pushed me into my decision to drop athletics and martial arts. I had growing pains and was on the way to physio when I slipped on black ice and unfortunately broke both of my hips! I went into more physio and hydrotherapy, it was a long recovery, and it lasted a year, but thankfully I wasn’t training or playing at the time of it happening so it didn’t hamper my morale on the pitch.
My Hobbies:
Outside of Netball I enjoy baking, walking my dog, spending time with family and friends, and binging Netflix!
My Future Aspirations:
In the near future I want to be selected for the youth World Cup qualifying squad, and then compete and be selected for the Youth World Cup in Gibraltar. However, in the fear future I aim to be selected for the Commonwealth Games, and the next senior Netball World Cup!
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.
Chobham Academy will be receiving an inspirational visit from Scottish International Netballer Charlotte Dunkley, on the the 27th of June 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?
Chobham Academy is promoting health and wellbeing throughout the school and with the help of a visit from Charlotte Dunkley, 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.
Chobham Academy 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 Scottish International Netballer Charlotte Dunkley, to raise funds for key resources for Chobham Academy.
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.