My name is Roan Clarke and I am age 15 and attend Tytherington School in Macclesfield. I began windsurfing three years ago as I needed to learn a new sport for my bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. I quickly got hooked and over the last three years have I have worked hard to improve my skills. I was selected to train with the RYA and have competed at UKWA and RYA at National level, consistently achieving between first and tenth place. Currently, I hold the North and Midlands regional title as first 7.8 metres sail boy competitor. Windsurfing has become my passion and I am determined to do better and continue to make my mum, family and Macclesfield proud.

The pathway to the Olympic Squad is through gaining experience on a number of levels. One of these levels is to compete internationally. I have been encouraged by the national RYA windsurfing coaches who inform me that I could do very well at this. However, I need financial support from beyond what my super supportive mum can provide and what I can earn in my after-school job.

I have been pre-selected to compete in both the 2019 European Techno 293 Windsurfing Championships in August and also the 2019 World Techno 293 Windsurfing Championship later in the year.

Firstly, to secure my place I must compete in three sea cup qualifying events. My family has committed to supporting me to travel to compete in these three events. They involve full days each weekend of windsurfing training and competition which we will fund. The events are in Weymouth, Bridlington and Pwllheli.

Secondly after qualifying, which I am ambitious to do I will be ready to achieve what I hope to be my main purpose for the year and further along the route towards the Olympic Pathway but I will need to raise the funds through donations and or sponsorship to be able to compete internationally.

The 2019 European Techno 293 Championships are in Michoret, Israel and The World Championships are in Cadiz, Spain. These are costly in that they require flights, travel, accommodation, chartering kit and support from coaches. Please would you consider a financial donation of support to help me achieve this goal for my school and Macclesfield and help me on my way to an Olympic dream. My mum and family haves supported me as far as they can and I am so grateful for that and I am trying to earn some money in my after-school employment as well as study for my exams. The cost of pursuing the support to the next level is now beyond our financial means. For me to compete in both international events to represent my country I need to raise a total of £4000.

Earlier this year I was offered the opportunity to train in the RYA National squad with the Olympic coaches during 2019 but due to my own family resources and the logistics of training being mainly in Weymouth and the travel costs involved in getting there, this was not possible for me unlike others whose families can resource those costs. Nonetheless, I know I have talent as I have been told this by the coaches and my ambition is to achieve a place in the Olympic Squad.

Thank you for considering a donation, however large or small It all helps towards it. If you are able to help put me in touch with sponsors, that would help too. I dream of representing the UK.

To see me in action please check out my Facebook page for updates.

https://www.facebook.com/roan.clarke.315