Introduction

Over the last year, our club has seen record numbers of athletes competing in national competitions: 14 lifters in Scottish University & College Championships and 2 lifters in BUCS. With our current membership, the next academic year is looking just as good! Our vision is to continue to get as many lifters as possible to compete at regional and national level as with our track record there is no doubt we could get athletes to set national records in the sport!

Nonetheless, competitions can be quite expensive. The total costs accumulated from buying kit, to travel and accommodation all add up and ultimately act as a barrier for many lifters who simply cannot meet those costs but are extremely passionate about the sport and competing. In order to allow more of our talented lifters to reach their potential, we are trying to lower the out-of-pocket cost of competing. We want to make sure people that want to compete, can compete – regardless of financial circumstances.

Why are we doing this?

We are passionate about weightlifting and want to provide the opportunity to be able to compete to every lifter that wants to. We also hope that by increasing the number of lifters training for and attending competitions, this will help create a more inclusive environment and tight-knit team.

Moreover, our project’s aim aligns with the University's pursuit of greater equality and diversity as allowing athletes to compete regardless of financial circumstance allows people from all backgrounds to have the same opportunities within the sport.

Current budget outline and funding

At the moment we do not have any funding for the 2023/24 academic year. Our membership fees only cover coaching costs and we do not want to raise these as this can also act as a barrier to people becoming involved. The remaining funding from last year is going towards weekly technical workshops with our coach, Lee.

We plan to send 5-7 people to BUCS this year, which means an increased cost from last year. We are aiming for £1500 to help cover accommodation costs, transport and fuel costs and competition fees.

Please note: all payments will be processed at the time of donating. This means that you will be charged immediately upon making your donation. In the event that a project does not reach its specified target, rest assured that your donation will be directed towards future competitions. This approach allows us to maximise the impact of your support and ensures that your contribution continues to make a meaningful difference. If you have any questions or concerns about this update, please don't hesitate to contact us at saintsfunder@st-andrews.ac.uk

How can you help?

You can help us by donating any amount – every little bit counts!

• Your support would be greatly appreciated, whether it be a small or large financial contribution.

• Spread the word about our project and share the link!

• Follow us on our Instagram (@ustalifting) and Facebook or sign up as a follower of this page to receive updates on our project.