News

Horsham's Set4Success

Posted on 27/07/10

Set4Success, a scheme to assist in meeting the costs of training and competing of young talented sports persons who live or go to school in the Horsham District, has been launched.

Set4Success was launched at Horsham District Council’s ‘Sparks in the Park’, a fantastic backdrop for the launch of the scheme as it was also part of the countrywide London 2012 Open Weekend of celebrations as part of the two year countdown to the opening of the Olympic Games.

Set4Success was founded by a partnership between Horsham District Rotary Clubs, Horsham District Council and Horsham District Schools, with advice and guidance being provided by the charity SportsAid.

Local Horsham businesses, Ringway, Sony DADC, Spofforths, Wakefields Jewellers, ATOM and Treetops Design and Print, made it possible to launch the scheme by sponsoring a ‘Community / Business Hexathlon Challenge’ and  providing cups and medals for the winners of the individual events.  The event overall was sponsored by Ringway who also provided an engraved glass award for the overall winning team.

The charity SportsAid arranged for two young sports stars to be present at the launch of the scheme;-

1.    Mark Hawkins, an international Handball player and Team GB member from Horsham, supported by Lloyds TSB

2.    Alex Finch, a member of the U20 England Female Rugby Squad from Horsham, supported by a local company Icon Live.

The Hexathlon Challenge, was enthusiastically supported by nine teams from both local business and the community, all of whom thoroughly enjoyed the sporting challenges of table tennis, cycling golf, rowing, batak and basketball. The participants were encouraged by a significant number of supporters, many of whom were eager to ‘have a go’ themselves, and did so once the ‘formal challenge’ was over.

The winners’ cups and medals were presented by Robert Davies, The President of the Horsham Rotary Club and Ian Ford, Sports Development Office for Horsham District Council who, together with his team, organised and managed the Hexathalon challenge.  The overall winning team was Sony DADC, calling themselves “The Non-Starters”.

During the presentations Mark Hawkins, international Handball player and Team GB member, said a few encouraging words about the importance of ‘Set4Success’ and the charity SportsAid, and the benefits aspiring young and talented sports people will receive from such a scheme. He went on to say that he hoped many more businesses, sports clubs and public institutions will give support to the scheme over the coming months and years.  Congratulations must be given to Horsham District Council for putting on such a fantastic event and for the opportunity they gave Set4Success to enable its launch.

Over the coming few months the full details of the scheme and its management will be finalised.  However all agree that the aim of Set4Success should be a true community-based effort with input and assistance from organisations and individuals across the District. We expect that monies will be raised by many groups and individuals making small donations or efforts rather than by few organisations making large financial awards.

Our plans include one significant annual fund raising event which will provide an opportunity to showcase the Horsham District, its sporting successes and community spirit.

Businesses, sporting bodies, and any other community groups and organisations are invited to express their interest in getting involved by contacting the Horsham Rotary Club