Press Release: Sibley seeks support for 2012 dream

One of the region’s leading London 2012 prospects is searching for support to help fulfil her dream of representing Great Britain at a home Olympic Games.Leamington table tennis star Kelly Sibley is currently ranked as the number one female player in the country, is highest ranking British female in the world, and stands a strong chance of competing at London 2012.She has represented her country at two Commonwealth Games, which included a fourth place finish in the team women’s event in Delhi this year, secured a ladies doubles bronze medal at the 2009 Commonwealth Championships and a Division Two gold medal at the 2008 World Team Championships.Sibley previously became Ladies National Champion in 2008, the under-21 Ladies National Champion in 2007 and 2008, formed half of the team which won the Mixed Double National Championship in 2007 and secured the Ladies Doubles National Champion crown in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.But despite this success she has found funding hard to come by and without valuable sponsorship her future development could suffer and dent ambitions of competing at London 2012.She said: “Sponsorship at this crucial time is very important to me, especially as we are going into the programme for 2012.“My greatest ambition in life is to achieve my Olympic dream and represent Great Britain at London 2012.“Sponsorship would help pay for training, travelling expenses and general living expenses.“The consequences of not getting any sponsorship would greatly inhibit my chances of competing with the top players in the world and to not be able to continue training at the highest level due to lack of funds available would be truly devastating.”Sibley also forms part of Team Coventry and Warwickshire a project run by the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership for the 2012 Games, which aims to profile the region’s aspiring sporting talent and support them through bursary funding and assisting with finding and pursuing opportunities to develop their sporting career.Will Bastin, Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership assistant for the 2012 Games, said: “We want to see as many people from Coventry and Warwickshire representing our region as athletes during London 2012 and we think Kelly is someone who stands a great chance of doing that.“Hopefully her achievements will inspire others in the region to take part in sport or engage in the excitement surrounding London 2012. “We hope she can get the backing she needs to succeed because she is immensely talented and we will be doing everything we can to support her. If anyone is interested in supporting Kelly to achieve her Olympic dream, please contact us.”Sponsorship opportunities, to help the development of members of Team Coventry and Warwickshire, are available. For more information contact Will Bastin at the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership for the 2012 Games on 07545 440 783 or email will.bastin@cswp.org.uk.ENDS

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