Lou's England Nets Dream in NZ
Wow! Where do I start? My name is Lou Grainger and I'm just an ordinary girl with big dreams...dreams that I never actually thought I would have the honour of living out. I can not actually believe that I have been selected to represent England for the Indoor Nets World Championships in New Zealand. And I'm so close, I just need a little help (well a lot of help really) to fund this amazing opportunity. 
Shock was the first emotion that hit me when I received the email that I had been selected for the long squad after trails in London. I was so thrilled. Utter disappointment was the next when during the first training session, I dislocated my finger. 
I thought I had blown it! I visited the hospital 4 times in as many weeks and worked tirelessly on fitness in between sessions. But without being able to catch a ball my hopes of reaching the final squad were diminishing. In the last session before final selections I decided to go for it. When would I get this amazing opportunity again? I strapped my finger up, took some pain killers and did my best. And I’m so glad I did.
As a primary school teacher in charge of PE, I am responsible for making sure that children at my school are excited about health, fitness and sports. I have worked so hard over the last 8 years, and especially over the last 3 in my current school, to ensure that children are getting the opportunities to participate in sports and physical activities and to inspire them to achieve! I am now so proud that I can go back to school after Easter and tell them my amazing news and, hopefully, be an inspiration to them myself and show them how hard work and determination can really pay off. 
Unfortunately there is no money in netball so the lucky athletes that have been selected have to self-fund this trip and my job as a primary school teacher doesn’t quite cover the expense (not even close)! From plane and train journeys to training, kit, equipment, coaches and everything in between this honour will cost somewhere in the region of close to £5000! ANY donation, no matter how much, will be greatly received and in return I promise I will do my best to represent England proudly and come home with a medal. Thank you to anyone that decides to help me on my England dream. 
