Greenfield Primary Academy are excited to be hosting an inspirational workshop with Team GB Paralympic Wheelchair Basketballer Sophie Carrigill. Sophie 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!
At Greenfield Academy they have a shared ambition for the school, the staff, the children and their families to reach their full potential and strive to 'be the best they can be'.
Who's Coming?
How I Started
I grew up able-bodied, but I was involved in an accident which completely changed my life. I was introduced to wheelchair basketball when I left the hospital. This was the first time I had ever even played Basketball, but everyone made me feel welcome and being with other disabled athletes like myself was really inspiring and helped me through a lot at the time. I began playing for the Leeds Spiders junior team and was scouted by Team GB just after the London 2012 Olympics.
I’ve always been around professional sport as my dad is an ex-professional golf player, and I remember a lot of my childhood spending time playing sports, watching the Olympics on the TV and him recalling memories from his career.
My Greatest Achievement
My greatest achievement is being selected for my first Paralympics and competing. We managed to come 4th place which was bittersweet, but it was the best result for the team so far, but while we knew there was work to do, we were extremely happy with our efforts and all the work that was put into not only reaching the games but to also secure 4th place!
Since then we achieved a silver medal at the 2018 Hamburg World Championships which has proven to be our best result and are looking forward to the 2022 World Championship which are being held in Dubai this coming November.
My Greatest Challenge
My greatest challenge has been the car accident I was involved in at the age of 16. I had to have life-saving surgery and was left with a spinal cord injury meaning I am now a full-time wheelchair user.
I was in hospital for four months in total- two months in America and two months in the UK, adapting to a new way of life. I initially struggled with accepting my new identity as a disabled woman, but through a lot of resilience and positive thinking, I am now really proud of who I am and where it has led me in my life.
My Hobbies
In my free time, I enjoy watching other sports, supporting fellow athletes, going out for meals and spending time with family. I also love interior design and am currently spending a lot of time not only planning but also looking forward to my wedding!
My Future goals
I hope to win a Paralympic medal, which I am planning to tick off at Paris 2024. I am also looking to make the world a better place for disabled people to live in by being a role model and sharing my story and hoping to inspire others.
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.
Greenfield Primary Academy will be receiving an inspirational visit from Team GB Paralympic Wheelchair Basketballer Sophie Carrigill, on the the 23rd of July 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?
Greenfield Primary Academy is promoting health and wellbeing throughout the school and with the help of a visit from Sophie Carrigill, 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.
Greenfield Primary 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 Team GB Paralympic Wheelchair Basketballer Sophie Carrigill, to raise funds for key resources for Greenfield Primary 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.