Summerhill Primary Academy are excited to be hosting an inspirational workshop with Wales Wheelchair Rugby League International Mason Baker. Mason 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!
Summerhill Primary Academy is a lively, exciting place of learning and has a growing reputation within the local and educational community.
Who's Coming?
How I started:
I started playing Wheelchair Rugby League at eight years old when I saw a newspaper article looking for players as it was a brand new club! I remember thinking I’ll give that a go, so I went to an open training session in 2013 at the age of 9 and never looked back! Once I was there I was told by the head coach to come back each week to continue training and watch my growth.
My Greatest Achievement:
My greatest achievement is easily representing Wales at multiple tournaments. The first international tournament I attended was in June 2021, it was the Celtic Cup, which we won, and then continued to win for another two years! We are then going back this year to Dublin to try and retain the trophy for the seventh consecutive year. In 2022 I competed in my first World Cup, this was a huge deal as I was representing my country on the biggest stage in the world which is no better feeling.
My Greatest Challenge:
My greatest challenge has been recovering from many injuries through my playing career. The one that I found hardest was being ruled out at the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup with a broken toe. This was heartbreaking as I was looking forward to representing Wales in front of a record crowd and hopefully getting to the World Cup final. Another factor that I have always had to overcome is the stigma around disabilities and the perception from the public eye, I have always struggled with self confidence and belief in myself, so finding a sport that I felt apart of and could grow my ability swell as my confidence meant the world to me!
My Hobbies:
In my free time I love watching football, and following Liverpool home and away as I am a season ticket holder. I enjoy going to the football with friends and family, however sometimes when I go into a training regime or called up to an international camp, I am unable to attend matches and have to sacrifice time with friends and family for my sport. You will also catch me watching all kinds of sports at home and travelling, especially travelling for sports!
My Future Aspirations:
In the future I would like to represent Wales in as many major tournaments as possible, while also winning as many trophies as I can! Outside of my sporting career I would like to travel the world whether it’s with my Rugby team or not!
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.
Summerhill Primary Academy will be receiving an inspirational visit from Wales Wheelchair Rugby League International Mason Baker, on the the 16th 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?
Summerhill Primary Academy is promoting health and wellbeing throughout the school and with the help of a visit from Mason Baker, 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.
Summerhill 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 Wales Wheelchair Rugby League International Mason Baker to raise funds for key resources for Summerhill 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.