Sponsorship for Irish Skeleton Athlete

tea pot

My name is Brendan, I'm an 29 year old Irish athlete. I've been doing track since the age of 14 .At the age of 16 I was spotted by the Irish bobsleigh/skeleton federation, and they asked, "hey would you like to push this sled on the track, and maybe get a chance to slide on a bobsleigh track" and to be honest they had me at sled. I trained at my local track and went off with the group to learn how to slide, and I fell in love with the sport! Unfortunately the federation was hit hard during the financial problems, and due to it's size I was forced to stop.

I went off and joined the police, where I kept training with an aim to get back on the sled, I was attacked on duty whilst trying to disarm an armed suspect. As of a result of the attack I suffered from depression,post traumatic stress disorder, I was "surviving" off 2 hours of broken sleep a night, I lived like this for 4 years and I hit the lowest of the lows which would be associated with depression. I tried all I could I beat the depression and its only something I've come to terms with in the last few months.

I have since left the police as living how I was not feasible,and I'm using this chance to go all in for skeleton. It's always been a sport close to my heart, and I'm putting everything I have into it. Sort of a silver lining kind of situation.

My goal is to make Irish Olympic history, by being the first male to take back an Olympic medal.

Reaching my Goal one rung at a time.

I am a dedicated athlete, whose sole foundation is based on hard work and commitment. I train 6 days a week, always pushing for improvement. Training is split up into two main segments, gym and track. I train in the gym 3 days a week, working on elements such as strength, explosive power and conditioning, I then "translate" the work I've done in the gym and put it into my sprinting. The track work is highly technical, and is made up of blocks, speed and speed endurance. Development of power paired with block work and speed are massively important to skeleton, and it's something I put great deal of effort into perfecting. Outside of training I maintain my commitment to high standards by working off a strict eating plan to ensure my body is replenished, which allows me to train harder each day. To stay ahead of injury I make weekly visits to my physical therapist, and carry out daily flexibility exercises and foam rolling.

I have trained since been out to the Igls track, just outside Innsbruck, Austria and it went amazingly well. I just need to get back out on the ice to get more training in.

Why I'm Raising Funds

Every dream needs fuel, and fuel tends to be expensive, and skeleton is no exception . My sport has a number of expenses to it, ranging from travel, car rental, accommodation and living costs. We then have equipment on top of that. A skeleton athlete has specialised equipment, which is tailored to suit them.

Skeleton Sled €4000-€8000

Runners (the two parallel bars on the bottom of the sled) €700 per set

Ice spikes (with covers) €400

Helmet €500

SpeedSuit €200-300

In addition to that we have a tool box full of tools for sled maintenance. The price of actually putting the sled onto the ice can differ from track to track, but typically you're looking in or around €20 per slide. Including lodging and having to pay for "bulky" luggage can be a familiar occurrence, so you can see its an expensive undertaking, and this is why I seek help.

My Team

Skeleton may be a sport where it's one athlete on the track at a time, but let me assure you, its a team effort. I have been blessed to have such a supportive family who have been willing to help me at any expense. My training staff, my speed coach and the sliding coaches, who were all more than willing to take me under their wing.

My physical therapist who has kept me in sport, after facing very serious and potentially athletic career ending calf injuries, he stuck by me, reassured me and giving me the treatment I needed. Without his help I wouldn't be in the shape of my life, like I am today.

I originally found it a strange idea turning to a crowd funding site to ask for help, but my experience during my time as a police officer, and my time as a slider has taught me there are genuine, kind people out there. People who take joy in helping others reach their dreams, so to all the people who read this, and donate or even to the people who spread this on social media, I thank you, and i consider you an integral part of my team.


Thank you all again for taking the time to read this, Go raibh maith agat agus slainte,

Brendan.

Fattes

It would probably help if you got Sean or Sean Greenwood, from the SAI or someone from @SlidingIrish to verify your crowd funding and athlete credentials, Having an official body behind you or verifying you, will make sponsorship and funding a little easier!

tea pot

Fattes wrote: »

It would probably help if you got Sean or Sean Greenwood, from the SAI or someone from @SlidingIrish to verify your crowd funding and athlete credentials, Having an official body behind you or verifying you, will make sponsorship and funding a little easier!

Thanks my man, myself and sean are tight, I am one of the mods @slidingIrish

My social media links

facebook.com/facedoyle
instagram.com/facedoyle
@facedoyle on twitter

Fattes

Great, best of luck with it, it's not easy and the training, travel and lonely hotel night will be worth it!