One of Northern Ireland’s most promising young athletes is set to receive a fundraising boost thanks to an exciting new partnership between legal and professional services group, Gateley, which includes Gateley Tweed and Gateley Capitus in Northern Ireland, and SportsAid.
Belfast wheelchair racer, Jack Agnew (21), who won four medals at the 2017 World Para Junior Championships, is to receive funding towards travel, accommodation and equipment, as well as access to online workshop support and personal development opportunities.
Fishing and dog walking have helped keep the para-athlete occupied during lockdown, along with studying for a foundation degree in software engineering at Belfast Metropolitan College which he hopes to build upon at either Ulster University or Queen's University Belfast next year.
However, with the postponed 2020 World Para Athletics European Championships set to take place in 2021, Agnew is itching to get back on the track and is training hard to realise his Paralympic ambitions.
“The kit you need to compete in wheelchair racing is really expensive,” he said. “My Dad, Jim, has been unbelievable over the years for trying to get funding and he comes to all my competitions.
“This funding will help pay for the kit, and then there is getting over to the competitions and training camps to compete, so it will also help with flights and accommodation.
“Having this backing means I am doing something right – now I just have to go out and do it. SportsAid have supported athletes I have looked up to from a young age so to think you are on the same pathway as them is surreal but brilliant.”
Paul Tweed, senior partner for Gateley Tweed, said: “It gives us great pleasure to support Jack. He is an inspiration to so many people and we are thrilled to give him this well-deserved boost.
“At Gateley, not only do we advise clients across an extensive range of sports, we also place a great emphasis on helping our own people succeed with their physical and mental well-being. Jack has the ambition, work ethic and desire to succeed; values that align perfectly with our own business.”
SportsAid supports over 1,000 athletes each year – the vast majority aged between 12 to 18. The award they receive acts as a real motivational boost as it is often the first recognition they are given outside of their support network. These athletes are the country’s brightest sporting prospects. They are nominated to SportsAid by the governing bodies of more than 60 sports based on set criteria.
Since 1976, SportsAid has supported tens of thousands of athletes by distributing over £50 million in awards. The charity's extensive alumni stretches across the generations with Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah, Baroness Grey-Thompson, Dame Sarah Storey, Sir Steve Redgrave, Dame Katherine Grainger, Daley Thompson CBE and Denise Lewis OBE all stand-out names.
Economic Minister, Diane Dodds recently announced Gateley’s investment in Northern Ireland, when it established its legal practice with the intention of creating up to 73 jobs with financial assistance from Invest Northern Ireland.
Gateley Tweed specialise in international media and commercial law, while Gateley Capitus are a very experienced capital allowance and tax incentive firm.