Tess Allen to receive 2015 Kapiti Lions Sport Grant
Each year the Lions Club of Kapiti gives a grant of $1,000 to a young athlete who is actively and successfully
participating in sport, aged between 14-20 years, for the purpose of helping them develop their skills and attain their
aspirations.
The recipient of this year’s grant has just been announced as Kapiti College student Tess Allen of Raumati South who
competes in kayaking.
The $1,000 grant along with a prize of 12 months gym membership at The Achievement Room – 24/7 Health and Fitness, which
includes 3 months of 2x weekly personal training sessions with Clay Mosen, will be presented to Tess at the PAK'nSAVE
Sportsperson of the Year Awards at Southwards Theatre on Wednesday 13 May. Clay has trained a number of champion sports
people and is looking forward to assisting Tess with her training.
President Brian Daw, who has managed the grant since first awarded in 2009, says that the Lions Committee never fails to
be impressed by the quality of young athletes in Kapiti.
“Our judges find it a difficult task to choose just one applicant from among those competing in a wide range of sports
and this year, for the first time, all applicants are competing on the international stage.
We all know how tough it is to maintain performances at the high standard that Tess and others are achieving, especially
when having to cope with school studies, coaching, and training for many hours each week. We congratulate all those who
applied for achieving such remarkable results and look forward to hearing more of them in future years.”
Tess is not only an outstanding kayaker, selected as a trialist for the New Zealand Junior World Championship team and
the National Paddle to Podium programme, but is also a leader at her college where she is Deputy Sports Captain and
participates in community projects.
“When applying for the grant Tess wrote that ‘it is important as a member of my community for other teenagers to see
what is achievable with hard work and determination’. And that is something we fully endorse” says Brian.
Tickets for the Sports Award dinner are available until the 9th of May and can be ordered at www.kapitispoy.org.nz/ticket-orders
ENDS