I write to introduce myself to the iSport Foundation in the hope that you may be able to support me this year as I represent New Zealand at Judo. My name is Samuel and I am the fourth eldest of seven children. I have been selected to represent New Zealand in April this year at the Oceania Championships in Canberra. I have won two National titles in recent years and my highest national ranking is first. Although I am only 18 I have been selected for the U21 National team and also recently beat the Senior Men’s (over 21) National Champion.

Having been selected for the team I have to find the necessary funding for a camp at the Australian Institute of Sport, a full team uniform, internationally certified competition gi’s (competition clothing), costs associated with the Oceania Championships and all the necessary domestic travel for high performance camps in New Zealand. There is no funding in judo so it is necessary for me to try and fund myself as it is clearly too much of a burden for my parents in a big family.

I work 14 hours a week on top of my studies and all of my salary goes to my sporting costs although as you can appreciate this does not even cover my domestic tournament travel costs.

SAM

My coaches tell me that I have a realistic goal of competing at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. I am very fortunate in that my coach was a coach at the last Olympic Games and my training partner is my brother who is the only New Zealander to ever qualify and compete at the Cadet World Championships and secured a highest world ranking of 4th.

I am sure you must receive many requests for funding or sponsorship and so I send this to you in the hope that you may be able to support me in whatever way possible, no matter how small.

SAM DREAMS OF REPRESENTING NZ AT THE 2020 OLYMPIC GAMES

CHRISTCHURCH

SPORTING GOAL

12 Month Goal: He hopes to medal at the upcoming Oceania Championships in Canberra. If Gold which is a realistic possibility he will qualify for the Junior World Championships. This will give him a World ranking.

5 Year Goal: 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo, the World centre of Judo.

HIGHEST SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT

Defeated the Senior Men’s National Champion (3 month ago).
Selected for the NZ Junior team to compete this year internationally.
Double National Champion one year at both Cadet(U17) and Junior (U21) Highest National Ranking Number 1