Hi, I’m Joe, the founder of Wales Sleddog Sports Junior Academy, delivered through Mynydd Sleddog Adventures, a small micro-business in North Wales run by one very dedicated (and slightly dog-obsessed!) lady… me!

Myself and the fantastic young people from Wales Sleddog Sports Junior Academy are raising funds for the trip of a lifetime!

For the past five years, a remarkable group of young people from North Wales, the North West, Cheshire and the South of England have been learning and training with us; developing their knowledge of sleddog sports, dog welfare, and what it truly means to work in partnership with these incredible animals. Along the way they’ve strengthened their physical fitness, improved their mental wellbeing, built confidence and resilience, and discovered a genuine passion for sleddog sports.

What began as fortnightly training, focused on learning has evolved into something far greater. Through sheer determination and tenacity, what once felt like a distant dream is now within reach. They are working towards qualifying for the IFSS European Championships in Sweden in October 2026, turning five years of quiet, consistent commitment into a very real opportunity.

The young people are currently competing to qualify at the BSSF National Championships, organised by the British Sleddog Sports Federation.

Their journey isn’t funded. There’s no prize money waiting at the end. There is no central funding pot. No large organisation or sponsor covering costs. Every step is self-funded and self-driven, by the young people themselves! What makes this team special isn’t just their athletic ability, it’s who they are.

Within this team are young people who have faced challenges in their lives; school bullying, health challenges, neurodiversity, anxiety, and confidence struggles. Through working with sleddogs, they have found:

* A sense of belonging

* Increased confidence and resillience

* Physical strength and endurance

* Emotional regulation

* Leadership skills

* Deep empathy and responsibility

Sleddog sport demands teamwork, patience and accountability. The dogs rely on them. Their teammates rely on them, and they rise to that responsibility every single time. To see these young people go from hesitant and unsure… to standing strong on a start line with focus and pride… it’s something truly special.

The young team are planning this expedition. They hold regular meetings to discuss logistics, fundraising ideas, sponsorship approaches, travel routes and budgets. They are learning real-world skills in planning, finance, communication and problem-solving alongside their training.

What The Funds Will Be Used For

Getting approximately 10 young athletes, each travelling with a parent and our team of dogs to Sweden is no small task. Funds raised will go towards:

In short, everything required to safely take a junior sports team and their canine partners across Europe to represent their country.

About Mynydd Sleddog Adventures

Mynydd Sleddog Adventures is a tiny, independent micro-business built from the ground up with passion, graft and a deep love for working sleddogs. There’s no big corporate structure behind this, just one very committed woman who believes wholeheartedly in what these young people and these dogs are capable of.

The academy exists because I believe opportunity should not be limited by postcode, background or confidence level.

Why Sweden 2026 Is So Important

Standing on an international start line tells a young person:

“You've earned this, You deserve this, You belong here!" It tells them their hard work matters. It tells them their challenges do not define them. It tells them they are capable of more than they imagined. And for our dogs, they are fulfilling their natural instinct to run, work and partner with their young humans.

If you are able to support in any way, whether through donating, sharing this page, or connecting us with sponsorship opportunities; you become part of this epic journey.

Thank you for believing in them.