Help Liam & Ava to Worlds in Samoa for Outrigging

Hello,

My name is William Christian-Bailey and I am a 8th generation Norfolk Islander who’s heritage and Island I am very proud/privileged to be part of.

I would like to tell you a bit about myself and also about our younger junior paddling contingency,

for you to help take into consideration of any funding you may deem possible.

My love for outrigging started in 2019, I had my first major competition in January 2020 after paddling for only 6 months. The lead up to this first event was hard work training up to 4 times a week, I had 3 races U14 V1, V6 and V12 in the Australia National Sprint Titles. In the U14 V1 the competition was pretty daunting, these were outriggers that we had never experienced before. There were 3 heats for this particular race and I was lucky to make it into the final. Unfortunately nerves got the better of me and I got disqualified on the starting line, I however did not give up I continued to finish my race and ended coming 7th out of 13. This was a valuable lesson that I carry with me still and continue to pass onto the juniors who are coming through the club. It was with determination to not let my team or Island down with our next two race’s that I steered us into 2nd place for the V6 and 3rd place for the V12 race.

It was with great sadness that due to COVID all national competitions were cancelled until 2022. The Norfolk Island Junior team continued to train in anticipation of our next event within this time not only for fitness but to help balance us out. Being out on the water was a great outlet for us all mentally and physically.

In November 2021 another small group of us travelled to the Noosa River Challenge (after Gubi Gubi was cancelled), this particular event was a long distance U14 V1 4km and U14 V6 race. It was exciting times to be back on the water and we had trained hard, I crossed the line in first place overtaking one of Australia’s upcoming OC1 paddlers. My Brother

It was with excitement that National Sprint Tittles was announced for 2022, there were 4 of us that committed to do the best that we could. Myself, my brother Nathaniel, Zoe Bruce and Ava Mullins. We had an amazing team of coaches Lance Miller, Lou Donald, Kym Adams and George Nebauer who totally believed in our skills. Training was intense with 5-6 paddles a week, gym sessions and PT sessions. On top of this I juggled my school work to a high standard (I received the Long Tan Leadership, Air Norfolk Travel Consistent endeavour award as well as Year Advisors award for Y10) as well as working two jobs. My Brother Nathaniel and Ava also excelled in their school work and at the end of the year Nathaniel and Ava were awarded certificates of excellence and effort in an array of subjects. Nathaniel was also the recipient of the much-coveted Queen Victoria Scholarship as well as last year Ava and Nathaniel were voted as School Captains and school Sports Captains.

On the 18th of November 2022 I became the Australian U16 V1 Sprint Champion. I continued to race throughout the day placing 5th in the U19 V1 and paddling for Bayside in a number of events. I came home with 3 gold medals and 2 silver medals.

On the 18th of November 2022 Ava Mullins became the Australian U12 V1 Sprint Champion and the U14 V1 Sprint Champion. Ava continued to paddle through the day for Bayside in a number of events and Ava came home with 2 Gold medals plus silver and bronze medals bringing it to a total of 5 medals overall for the meet.

My last event was The Norfolk Ocean Challenge (NOC 2023) I was humbled and honoured to be asked to be part of the open men’s V6 24km team, the youngest Norfolk Islander to have ever paddled in this event. I was also then asked to be the steerer for the open men’s V6 12km becoming the youngest steerer in the history of NOC. It was one of the most amazing and scary times of my live and I learnt an incredible amount from it. We won gold for both of our division, came 2nd overall in the 24k and 3rd overall in the.

In September 2022 the International Va’a Federation (IVF) announced the World Distance Marathons for Outrigging. This event is to be held on the 10th – 20th of August 2023 in Apia/Samoa, in December they announced a new division V1 U16 and V6 U16 on this announcement the Juniors of Norfolk Island Wa’a Outrigger club were eligible to compete.

Coming from a small Island the costs to travel abroad for training and competition is an expensive exercise, I humbly ask for any assistance that you deem possible.

Warm Regards

Liam Christian Bailey

On behalf the Norfolk Island Wa’a Outrigger Junior’s