Each year the Lions Club of Kāpiti gives a grant of $1,000 to a young athlete who is actively and successfully participating in sport, aged between 14-20 years, for the purpose of helping them develop their skills and attain their aspirations.
Last year the recipient was Kāpiti College student Tess Allen of Raumati South who competes in kayaking.
The $1,000 grant along with a prize of 12 months gym membership at The Achievement Room 24/7 Health and Fitness, which includes 3 months of 2x weekly personal training sessions with Clay Mosen, will be presented to the successful applicant at the PAK’n SAVE Sportsperson of the Year Awards at Southwards Theatre on Monday 2 May.
Lion Brian Daw, who has managed the grant since first awarded in 2009, says that the Lions Committee never fails to be impressed by the quality of young athletes in Kāpiti.
“We were thrilled to hear from Tess Allen following her competing at Junior World Kayaking Championships in Portugal last year saying “I would like to thank you for your sponsorshipthe whole experience was amazing. The build up to the competition was in Hungary and during that month I learnt so much about how to race using electronic start gates and training in a world class facility. We worked together as a group and feeling part of the New Zealand Junior team was inspiring and has left me keen to continue my training and aspire to further goals. We took part in a national Hungarian regatta where my partner and I gained a silver medal in the K2 500 metre. The competition at the world championships was tough and has made us all realise what is involved in competing on the world stage. Once again thank you for your support in helping me to get to the World Championships, without people like you, young New Zealanders would not be able to compete and follow their dreams. And a big thank you to Clay at the Achievement Room. Clay has been a great support in my training. He is always interested in helping me implement my programme and the Achievement Room is an inspiring gym”.
Applications close on 6 April and can be downloaded from the Sports Awards website www.kapitispoy.org.nz The main criterion is that applicants are already competing in their sport at an international or national level. Applications must be submitted on the official form and require letters of support from referees (coaches, teachers etc) so applicants are encouraged to not leave it until the last minute.
