Sponsorship Request to Support SA Talent in Australa
by Philip Scott
We received the following request from Veronica Prins:
Hi, we are in Australia on a Student Visa 572 and my husband is currently completing his final year of study in Brisbane. The past 18 months have been tough and anyone who has entered Australia on a Student Visa - well - they would know all about the work hour restrictions, expensive school and college fees etc.
My son Damien who is 11 has qualified to compete in the ISKA World Cup Karate Champs to be held in Sydney in October this year. He left South Africa in 2009 with a Blue Belt, arrived here and was dropped to a white belt until he learnt the new style of Karate. Anyway, 18 months down a very long, sad and stressful road, he is on his way to his Brown Belt grading at the end of this year.
Damien goes to class three times a week and sometimes does a double class on a Tuesday and Thursday. We catch a bus as we only have one car - but in all of this he trains hard, he is respectful and shows decipline in the sport. He would love to attend the Champs but after adding all the costs we are just not in the financial position to send him. My husbands company KOLDPAK in Capalaba have sponsored the flightscash to the value of $1000.00 but we are still so very short.
My ask is this - if there are any South African out there who would like to see Damien compete at the World Champs, I would be so grateful for any sponsorshipfinancial assistance. Damien is really good and although there are over 40 countries competing - the experience will be a ONCE IN A LIFETIME for him!
Thank you for taking the time to read my email. Fondest Regards Veronica
If you would like to sponsor Damien, please contact Veronica directly on ausgt@optusnet.com.au
Update Dec 2012
After the ISKA Champs Damien graded and was awarded his Brown Belt 2 KYU. He is now on his way to Black Belt! The weekend after grading he was off to the Australasian Champs in Sydney. He flew down with his Dad and came back with GOLD in Kata Boys 10-11 yrs Intermediate. Damien has now qualified and been invited to compete in the US Open Champs to be held in Orlando Florida in July 2012. This is a BIG competition and unfortunately we do not have the funds to send him BUT there is another Champs in 2015 and Damien will be there to represent Australia of that I am sure!
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