Fencer, Niall Dowse from New Eltham, is celebrating after receiving a £250 donation from the MARS REFUEL Drink Fund.
Seventeen-year-old Niall has been fencing for seven years and recently won a Bronze medal at the Junior Commonwealth Games. He has represented Great Britain at Under 17 level and Northern Ireland at the UK School Games where he also took home a Bronze.
Niall trains at MX Fencing Club up to four nights a week and is working towards competing in the senior Commonwealth Games, representing Great Britain at the under 20 level.
He’s currently studying for his AS levels at Bullers Wood School and on completion of his studies is hoping to be selected for Officer training in the RAF.
Niall says: “I’m delighted to win this award from the MARS REFUEL Drink Fund. My training is completely self-funded and my hopes of competing at senior level means I need to improve my technical ability and tactical understanding with additional one to one lessons.
“With the donation, I will invest in some further training both at home and abroad. The current top fencers are in Italy, Hungary and Germany and I’ve found that training in these countries makes a huge improvement to my fencing.”
A recent survey conducted by chocolate milk drink, MARS REFUEL, revealed that the main barriers preventing people from taking part in sport are a lack of motivation and cost.
The MARS REFUEL Drink Fund was set up to help individuals and clubs play their chosen sport. Applicants for support such as equipment, coaching, pitch time and travel expenses can be made online at www.marsrefuel.com.
The MARS REFUEL Drink Fund, which runs until September 30 2012, has one Gold (£1000), four Silver (£500) and eight Bronze (£250) awards to donate each month.
The fund is open to residents of, and clubs and organisations based in the UK and Republic of Ireland only. Applicants must be 13 years or over and only one application will be accepted per person, club or organisation.
