Sport Godalming Go For Gold

Major Sponsors (£500 or more)

Other Sponsors

Backers

  • Councillor Peter Martin's 2006 Mayor of Godalming Fund
  • The late Councillor Maureen Nyazai's 2000 Mayor of Godalming Fund
  • Sport Godalming
  • Waverley Borough Council (printing cost of leaflet)
  • Surrey Advertiser (media coverage)

LIST OF GO FOR GOLD ATHLETES SUPPORTED

GO FOR GOLD ATHLETE PROFILES HERE

2011 Sport Godalming Grants
Nikki Barlow, Adelle Tracey, Godalming Mayor Cllr Jane Thompson and Chris Scott
Photo courtesy of Jim Faulkner

     


Go For Gold

We've struck Gold : cash boost for Olympic hopefuls

Four Olympic Games hopefuls from the Godalming area have had their London 2012 dreams boosted by more major cash help.

Discus Thrower Chris Scott, para-equestrian dressage rider Nicky Thompson, sprinting kayak canoeist Paul Wycherley and fencer Liz Ng have all been awarded full £1100 grants from Sport Godalming's Go For Gold Fund, based on their potential for selection next year.

Two others – canoeist Matt Welch and fencer Nikki Barlow – received £300 intermediary grants while another four were handed minor awards of £100 each with future Olympics being a more realistic target for them. They were 800 metres runner Adele Tracey, sailor Matthew Shorrock, gymnast Harry Carter and synchronised swimmer Robyn Bignell.

Sport Godalming secretary Bill Braid commented: "It is outstanding for a town the size of Godalming to have four good contenders and two with an outside chance of selection for 2012. We are delighted that Go For Gold has unearthed others too who have the talent for success in the future either in 2016 or beyond".

Elstead based Nicky Thompson, who has won all her six competitions this year and will compete internationally for the first time next month – saluted the backing: "It is so hard trying to compete at this level with no funding and it is the same with every sport, you do not receive any funding of sponsorship until you have made it".

Surrey Advertiser

LONDON MARATHON 2011 FUNDRAISING BID

SECRETARY OF SPORT & CULTURE
HONOURS OUR GO FOR GOLD ATHLETES

    
 
 

What’s it About?

In 2007 the Go for Gold Champions Fund was set-up by Sport Godalming to give financial support to individuals with international potential who live or are members of clubs based in the Godalming area and have the talent to be selected for the GB team for the 2012 Olympic or Paralympic Games.

The original aim was a Fund of £25,000 and with the assistance of the backers and a generous pledge from Charterhouse Club there was sufficient confidence to launch the Fund.

At the time the scheme was unique to Godalming and we are still leading the race to help our local athletes get to the Olympics with the aid of local money.

What’s happened ?

We knew there was immense talent in our patch and so it proved so we soon raised the bar for our Fund from £25,000 to £35,000. To date the amount raised is £32,000 so there is £3,000 to go, we can see the tape but the finishing straight is tough and we need help to get there.

The same applies to the athletes we are supporting as 2012 gets closer and our assessment criteria becomes harder to satisfy because we are moving from the potential to those with a realistic chance for selection.

In 2008 we supported 15 athletes, in 2009 16, in 2010 8 and in 2011 we gave full grants of £1,100 to 4 athletes rated with a good chance of making 2012 ,2 others received grants of £300 and 4 others who are our future stars £100. That doesn't mean the performance of our very talented athletes has diminished but with 2012 ever closer the evaluation has become that much more focused on the reality of selection to the GB team.

What’s to happen?

2012 is critical to our 6 Olympic contenders if they are to achieve their ambition of representing GB in London. Some will make it and others may not but our task is give them as much financial help as we can because in most cases the funding available from their various sports is quite inadequate.

We would welcome any help in our fundraising from charity events organised by clubs and organisations or indeed individuals who are undertaking sponsored charity events. Anything that will get that last £3,000 and our athletes that much closer to the Olympics. This is very much a local charity for our local athletes any help would be appreciated please contact Bill Braid on 01483 418242 or email billbraid@tiscali.co.uk

Application Form

Click HERE to download an application form.

LIST OF GO FOR GOLD ATHLETES SUPPORTED

LONDON MARATHON 2011 FUNDRAISING BID

GO FOR GOLD ATHLETE PROFILES HERE


SECRETARY OF SPORT & CULTURE
HONOURS OUR GO FOR GOLD ATHLETES