Help our GB Teams @World Championships, Argentina

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MEDAL-WINNING BRITISH MAXI-BASKETBALL TEAMS!

Hi, my name is Sadie Mason. I am part of the GB Maxibasketball national teams programme, and I'm raising funds to enable my teammates to represent Great Britain at the World Maxibasketball Championship, which will take place from 26 August to 3 September 2023 in Argentina! Maxibasketball is the competition level for players aged 35+ years and upwards.

THE BACK STORY

In 2019, I was honoured and proud to be a member of the GB Maxibasketball team that won the first-ever World Championship 2019 medal for Great Britain in Helsinki. Building on that initial success, the GB Maxibasketball programme expanded and attracted even more ex-international and national-level masters players. Even at the age of 55+, I still enjoyed the competitive challenge and remained involved with the programme as the GB teams continued to train during 2021/22, and was delighted to celebrate their ongoing success as they returned from the European Championship 2022 in Malaga with five medals, including a Gold and Silver!

As a nationally-recognised talent programme, GB Maxibasketball is now once again preparing several teams to step onto the podium and fly the flag for GB at the World Championships 2023 in Argentina. Our GB teams comprise male and female players between 40 - 62 years of age, and they continue to be an inspiration to the younger generation, proving that age is no barrier to international performance.

NOW HERE'S THE ISSUE

Maxibasketball receives no Government or Lottery funding, so our players and voluntary staff have to cover all the costs of training, playing kit, facility hire, medical supplies, travel and accommodation themselves. We recognise it’s quite a financial commitment to represent Great Britain at this age level. To compete at the World Championship 2023 each person will be paying for their accommodation and flights to/from the South American continent which, for the total delegation of 65 players and staff, exceeds a staggering £130,000. These costs, plus the time spent away from young families and time off work to compete, can present a very real barrier to inclusion for players and staff alike.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

We will have five teams competing in Argentina: Men 40+, 50+ & 55+ and Women 40+ & 50+, and we know that despite these challenging and stressful economic times, the GB Maxibasketball programme has provided a positive focus for many. Each player has been working hard to ensure they are physically and mentally prepared for the World Championships competition, and we are setting our sights on a podium finish for Great Britain.

Your donation will therefore help to ensure that every GB Maxiballer has an equal opportunity to represent Great Britain in Argentina this summer, irrespective of personal or financial circumstances. Funds raised will help with the provision of courtside strength & conditioning support, physio/medical supplies (to ensure players remain safe on the court), essential GB team wear, competition costs and internal game transport. No matter the value, your donation will help our participants and will go a long way to ensuring that every team member can represent Great Britain with pride. You can make that vision become reality for your family member, friend, club teammate, or work colleague.

Any level of donation is welcome and appreciated, and you can be assured that no raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or promotions are offered in exchange for any donations made to our GoFundMe campaign.

Thank you,

Sadie Mason MBE