Help Josh Catchatoor play for the UK at US College Disc Golf

Hi, my name is Josh Catchatoor and I’ve been selected to represent the UK in the USA at the annual College Disc Golf 2025 competition in Rock Hill, South Carolina, between the 2nd and 5th of April.

For those who don't know, disc golf is a fast-growing sport in the UK and worldwide, originating in the US in the 70's, where it is a common activity, featuring touring professionals who compete for tens of thousands of dollars at numerous events across the calender.

The basic premise of the disc golf is similar to golf, but instead of whacking golf balls into holes, disc golf involves throwing frisbee-like 'discs' into metal baskets in as few shots as possible. Common features of disc golf courses include heavily obstructed fairways and convoluted shots, making it a challenging undertaking, with players, for example, usually tasked with throwing discs at least one hundred metres or further, often through tight wooded gaps or over hazards.

I began playing disc golf three years ago when I was introduced to it by a friend from Latvia (where disc golf has surged in popularity over the last decade); and from my very first trip to Longford Park Disc Golf Course, in Stretford, Manchester, myself and several accompanying friends were completely hooked. Since then, we have played on a weekly basis.

Disc golf is very fun, accessible, healthy and economical, with a pair of excellent courses in Greater Manchester completely free to use and wonderful to be in.

I heard about the College Disc Golf championships in America, and the UK team that we fielded to compete there last year, during my disc golf journey. College Disc Golf is a 'Major' tournament, with significant exposure and prestige associated with it. As you are no doubt aware, Americans take their collegiate sports seriously and disc golf is no exception, with the course we will be competed on also used for the US Disc Golf Championship, where the best players in the world compete annually.

I started a master’s course in Drama Production for Film, Tv and Digital Media at the University of Salford in September 2024, and was keen to try out for the squad, in the end managing to secure a place on the UK team after several qualifying tournaments.

So, now the time has come to get ready and get out there and do my best for the UK!

If you feel like donating even a small amount, that would be massively appreciated.

The costing for the tournament is £700 for flights and £600 for food and board plus other miscellaneous expenses, around £1300 all in.

Therefore, as part of my fundraising efforts, I WILL BE ATTEMPTING TO RUN A 10K - with a difference.

In addition to running 10 kilometres, I will be doing so playing rounds of disc golf, running from shot to shot and hole to hole, in an attempt to draw awareness to the sport and make the fundraiser a special one. Hence the title of the attempt- The 10K Throw.

This will be a challenge as disc golf is tiring enough without legging it around!

But, I hope it will be an indication enough of my commitment to getting match fit and ready for this event where I can represent the UK to my greatest potential.

So, thank you for your time and any amount you'd like to give, and please expect regular updates throughout my journey over the coming months.

All the best,

Josh