Shaftesbury Primary School are excited to be hosting an inspirational workshop with Team GB Basketballer Danny Evans. Danny 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 Shaftesbury they strive to nurture children into being responsible members of the community.
Who's Coming?
How I Started
I was first introduced to Basketball at after-school club in primary school, and from there I fell in love with the game and decided that one day I wanted to play professionally. Shortly after my first coach told me that he saw potential in me and from there I set out to do whatever it would take to make that dream come true.
At the time it was extremely difficult to see a career in Basketball as there was only one club within the whole of Leeds. Meaning that it wasn’t something that had been done before around my area. This made my journey difficult, but thankfully my original coach, Matt Newby was there to support me every step of the way.
At the age of 14, I got the chance to play in a tournament in Turkey representing England and from then on out I fell in love with that aspect of the sport as I was representing something much bigger than myself.
My Greatest Achievement
My greatest achievement is signing my first professional contract with CB Hospitalet. This was in 2020 as I had just finished my college career in the United States. This opportunity presented itself within the last year of my college career as agents began to contact me as I was playing well on the court. Realising what I had set out to do when I was ten years old was massively rewarding and I was over the moon to have signed my first contract.
My Greatest Challenge
My greatest challenge in Basketball has been self-doubt. Before I turned 18 I was worried because of the low notoriety of Basketball in my area, resulting in a small amount of support, and without a blueprint to get to where I wanted to be that it would hinder me in being enrolled onto a scholarship. My family and friends were instrumental in helping me overcome these concerns as they continuously and unconditionally supported and believed in me.
My Hobbies
My hobbies include catching up with friends, going for ice cream, watching Netflix and listing to music. I also run a community enterprise called the FindYours Project which is an initiative that aims to inspire young people to try new things and find what their passion is.
My Future goals
In the future, I am aiming to play for Great Britain’s senior national team and continue to progress in my professional career.
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.
Shaftesbury Primary School will be receiving an inspirational visit from Team GB Basketballer Danny Evans, on the the 2nd 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?
Shaftesbury Primary School is promoting health and wellbeing throughout the school and with the help of a visit from Danny Evans, 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.
Shaftesbury 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 Basketballer Danny Evans, to raise funds for key resources for Shaftesbury 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.