English Martyrs Catholic Primary School are excited to be hosting an inspirational workshop with Team GB Hammer Thrower Katie Head. Katie 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!
As a primary school, we know that the 7 or 8 years spent with us are just a small part of a child’s journey through life. We aim to make our part of that journey an enjoyable and enriching one, that helps them to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding that will help them to grow and develop both as learners and as positive members of the wider community.
Who's Coming?
How I Started:
I started with swimming and my parents were always big to try everything, but my dad is an Olympic hammer thrower so he was very keen to get me into the sport. I first picked up a Hammer at the age of 8 at the side of the circle as my dad was coaching other athletes. I then began competing and training at the age of 12. What I was doing then was very different, but a lot of the people around me knew where I came form and my father’s career in the discipline too. I feel like I have an upper-hand because I have my dad who can relate to my struggles and experiences and help to get me through them.
My Greatest Achievement:
My greatest achievement is being a British Hammer-Throw record holder. I broke the under-13 age group record, then I broke the under-15 record, and the under-17 record. I also broke the weight throw record at the age of 16. I threw the under-17 record at the English schools championships. I threw 65.06m with a 3kg hammer!
My Greatest Challenge:
My greatest challenge was the 2022 season overall. I came out and threw well which put me second on the all-time list. I was then nominated for the Commonwealth Games but then told I would not be good enough to compete, and that summer I had to sit at home watching the events that I had been held back from. Afterwards I began working with sports psychologists for the betterment of my mental health ready for the 2023 season. This season was a learning year where I began competing in Europe a lot and experienced a lot of new things throughout the season through my agent. I see the 2023 season as a success looking back as I learned a lot about competing outside of Britain and what it can be like to compete on a larger stage.
My Hobbies:
Outside of Hammer Throw I enjoy reading, and am about to start my masters degree in social science research in sport. I am very interested in women in sport and the equality side of the sporting world. I hope that this will lead me into a research role revolving around the female sporting world and the different feelings athlete may experience throughout their career. I like to spend my free time with friends and family too as I can sacrifice a lot of that time throughout the season to my discipline.
My Future Aspirations:
In the future I am looking to qualify for the Tokyo World Championships. This is in September next year past the end of the season meaning I will have to work harder through the winter in preparation for this as it will be my first time competing outside of Europe! I also hope to be working as a researcher for women’s sport and publishing articles surrounding research in the female sporting world. (Balancing job with sport)
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.
English Martyrs Catholic Primary School will be receiving an inspirational visit from Team GB Hammer Thrower Katie Head, on the 15th 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?
English Martyrs Catholic Primary School is promoting health and wellbeing throughout the school and with the help of a visit from Katie Head, 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.
English Martyrs Catholic 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 Team GB Hammer Thrower Katie Head, to raise funds for key resources for English Martyrs Catholic 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.