Wilbarston CofE Primary School are excited to be hosting an inspirational workshop with England International Power-chair Footballer Brad Bates. Brad 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!
“to learn with care, fun, faith and respect".
Who's Coming?
How I Started
I had always been passionate about football, being a West Bromwich Albion season ticket holder. So, discovering power-chair football and learning that West Brom had a team was just mind-blowing. I never thought it would be possible for me to play football, let alone for my own club and country!
My Greatest Achievement
Being part of the England Power-chair team that clinched the European Powerchair Football Association Nations Cup 2019 was an exhilarating experience. The intensity of the match, especially the nerve-wracking penalty shootout against France, was indescribable. The moment we emerged as champions, a wave of euphoria swept over me. All the hard work, the rigorous training sessions, and the sacrifices finally paid off. Holding the trophy, representing England, and sharing this triumph with my incredible teammates was surreal. This victory wasn’t just a personal achievement, but a testament to our collective resilience and dedication to the sport.
My Greatest Challenge
Throughout my journey in Football, I have encountered mental health issues including depression, anxiety, and a challenging relationship. Through all these adversities, Power-chair Football remained a constant in my life. It provided an environment where I felt genuinely at ease, offering a crucial outlet for relief and self-expression.
My Hobbies
Most of my hobbies away from Power-chair Football are still Football-related. I like to play a lot of Fifa and Football Manager, and I enjoy attending any football matches when I can. I’m also very passionate about coaching as I manage the Nomad Knights Power-chair Football team!
My Future goals
In five years’ time, I hope to have used my platform to grow the platform of Power-chair Football to make it more accessible for others with disabilities like me. I also hope to foster a great team spirit at the Power-chair Football team I manage; Nomad Knights PFC, and bring home some tournament trophies with the team too! Additionally, I hope to work towards a world cup win with England!
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.
Wilbarston CofE Primary School will be receiving an inspirational visit from England International Power-chair Footballer Brad Bates, on the the 3rd 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?
Wilbarston CofE Primary School is promoting health and wellbeing throughout the school and with the help of a visit from Brad Bates, 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.
Wilbarston CofE 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 England International Power-chair Footballer Brad Bates, to raise funds for key resources for Wilbarston CofE 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.