Helping sports stars of the future

This year 23 youngsters won awards although three could not be present as they were representing GB in Florida, Malta and Scotland.

This year’s winners, each of whom receives a financial award as well as free usage of leisure facilities provided by Places for People Leisure, were Rebecca Barber, Lily Davis, Daniel Jones, Freya Fulcher, and Michael Pallister (Swimming); Cecily Turner and Hannah Patchett (Water Polo); Emily Orman, Hannah Gardner and Bronwen Thomas (Football); Reece Besley and Zoe Gaudiano (Gymnastics); Verity Bashford and Kate Small (Trampolining); Tamsin Campbell and Orla Brothers (Athletics); Alexandra Malzer (Hockey); Kristina Pavlou (Judo); Alexandra Baker (Basketball); Will Carey (Triathlon); Jamie Brown (Kickboxing); Harvey Claridge (Motorcycle Racing); Isabella Hayes (Swimming and Triathlon).

The winners were accompanied by their families and coaches.

The Awards were presented by guest speaker Mike Goody, who gave a truly inspiring and motivating talk. Mike, a former Senior Aircraftsman, had his left leg amputated following an incident in 2008 when the armoured vehicle he was driving in Afghanistan hit a roadside bomb, trapping him under the wreckage.

Mike described how he found a renewed zest for life as a result of his sport. From swimming the English Channel in 2009 to defending his Invictus Games Gold medals in Florida earlier this year, Mike was a shining example to everyone present that everything is achievable through persistence, dedication and hard work.

Previous Set4Success winner and now Set4Success Ambassador Lucy Wood, who went on to win a Silver medal playing for the GB Hockey Team in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, was also on hand to demonstrate the value and status of these Awards.

How to Apply for a Set4Success Award

Applications are now invited for the Set4Success Autumn Award Panel. The closing date is November 11 and application can be made on line at the Set4Success website http://www.set4success.org/

Set4Success is also looking for local businesses who would like to support the scheme either by sponsoring individual awards or by entering teams into the Set4Success Sporting Challenges, which are a series of sports contests, run throughout the year, where local organisations compete to be Horsham’s Top Sports Company (won in 2015 by Barclays Bank, Horsham).

Call John on 01403 754005 for more information.

The Chairman of Horsham District Council, Christian Mitchell, was also present at the event and said afterwards: “It was a delight to be able to share in Friday’s awards ceremony for the Horsham district charity Set4Success.

“This commendable charity, supported by Horsham District Council, encourages and helps high achieving youngsters to achieve their sporting dreams by awarding grants to help with the costs of training, competing, and vital equipment.

“The ceremony was an inspiring example of what can be achieved by these young people who showed true determination and the will to succeed.”

Contributed by Horsham Rotary Club

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