Ellie and Fionnuala’s Fundraiser Azerbaijan 2021

Ellie and Fionnuala’s Fundraiser

Ellie and Fionnuala are fund raising to help offset their training and competition costs associated with their selection to represent Great Britain at The World Age Group Championships (WAGC) in Azerbaijan in November 2021

As you are aware many sporting activities were stepped down as a result of the Covid 19 Pandemic and it has had a profound effect on our young people. Ellie and Fionnuala were fortunate to have been awarded elite status during the second lockdown so were able to return to their training schedule in Flight Gymnastics Academy with their coach Simon Flannery; and their dedication and commitment have paid off!

On 12th September the girls attended trials for GB representation at the WAGC in Baku, Azerbaijan, at the end of November 2021; both smashed the qualifying scores for their respective age groups (Ellie 15/16, Fionnuala 13/14) on DMT. On the 3rd of October they attended the National Age Group Open Championships in Telford (which was used as a second trial for WAGC) and again smashed the qualifying score, achieving personal bests, and lifting the gold medal in their respective categories!

It has since been confirmed that they have been selected to represent GB at the WAGC in DMT; Ellie in the 15/16 category and Fionnuala in the 13/14 category.

This weekend sees both girls attending the first of two GB squad WAGC training camps in Lilleshall, the second one being in two weekends time. Then it is off to Baku in Azerbaijan on 21-11-2021 where Ellie is hoping to make the podium, building on her 7th place finish for GB in the WAGC DMT 13/14 category in Tokyo 2019, and Fionnuala is hoping to make the podium, building on her 4th place finish for GB in the WAGC DMT 11/12 category in Tokyo 2019.

All of this pursuit of excellence in Ellie and Fionnuala’s chosen sport comes at a cost, in terms of time, energy, commitment and finance. In addition to routine training fees, equipment, physiotherapy and sports/competition wear expenditure, the travel, accommodation, camp, and competition fees put a strain on the bank balance. Although there are small pockets of grants available (and thanks to all those who have supported Ellie and Fionnuala to date including #Mary Peters Trust, #Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, #The Rob George Foundation and #Phoenix Gas) the girls costs are largely self-funded.

Ellie and Fionnuala and their respective families would appreciate any support to help the girls achieve their dream!