Posted on: Thursday 8 December 2022
A young karate champion says support she has received from the Torfaen Mic Morris Trust has been instrumental in helping her realise her sporting dream.
Morgan Mates, 14, from Cwmbran, took up Kyokushinkai Karate when she was just five years old and has represented Wales on many occasions.
She now ranks fifth in the world for her category after representing Team GB in the World Kata Championships in Switzerland last September.
Morgan, who is a brown belt, has just received £1000 through the Mic Morris Sporting Trust to help with the cost of entry fees, travel, accommodation, uniforms and sports equipment, and is urging other young athletes to apply to the fund.
Morgan, who trains at Cwmbran Kyokushinkai, said: “I feel so grateful to the Mic Morris Trust for the help they have given me. They have enabled me to continue pursuing my dream of representing my country in international Karate competitions. I am proud to represent them and their work supporting young people in sport.
"I would also like to say a special thank you to my dojos at Cwmbran Kyokushinkai, as without their support, I wouldn’t be part of the Welsh and GB squad.”
Next, Morgan is setting her sights on the IFK European Knockdown Championships in Yerevan, Armenia in 2023, as well as working to achieve a black belt in the sport.
To be eligible to apply for the Mic Morris Trust, a young person must be aged between 11 - 21 years and living in Torfaen.
The fund covers a range of sports, but the applicant must reside in one of the following four categories:
- World class performer
- Elite Cymru
- Member of a national team or squad as specified through the list provided by Sport Wales
- Ranked within the top 5 for Welsh and/or top 10 for Great Britain
Chairperson at the Mic Morris Torfaen Memorial Sporting Trust, Christine Vorres, said: “We understand that the cost-of-living crisis is affecting many families, many of whom are accessing and paying for sports programmes in and outside the county borough.
"The trustees would like to make people aware that even though applicants have to meet a certain criterion, the trust is happy to provide funding for such items as clubs fees, travel expenses, coaching fees, equipment and anything else that is linked to their sport. So please don’t be afraid to come forward and seek support”.
To apply for the Mic Morris Trust visit the Torfaen website or contact Christine Philpott on 01633 628936 or email Christine.philpott@torfaen.gov.uk
The closing date for the next round of applications is Monday 9 January 2023.