TEENAGE Tamworth cycling star Tori Saunders is seeking the community’s help to help her dream of representing her country come to fruition.
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The 16-year-old will ride for Australia in August at the Junior World Track Titles in Astana, Kazakhstan.
It will be the realisation of a long-held dream but is also a big financial imposition on her and her family.
“It’s going to cost about $10,000 to get over there,” Saunders said.
That’s her out-of-pocket expenses.
Cycling Australia is funding half of the overall cost which is around $20,000.
One of the biggest outlays is for flights.
Return to Kazakhstan is $9000 alone.
“We have to go to Dubai, then to Europe and then to Kazakhstan,” she said.
She also has to get her wheels over there.
“We have to take both bikes over there – road and track,” she said.
“We’ll be competing on the track but training on the road as well as the track.”
Saunders has set up a fundraising page on gofundme where people can donate and is hoping to raise around $5000.
Her page can be found at www.gofundme.com/n1044g and on it writes that she is “absolutely over the moon” to have been selected in the Australian side.
“Representing my country has been a goal of mine ever since I started racing back in U13s and am so thrilled with this opportunity,” she says.
“Being located in Tamworth means my parents have to dedicate time and support to get me to training in Sydney (as well as other locations) and being just one of three siblings I need to play my part in the contribution of funds to support my goals and visions.”
“All funds donated will go towards helping me go on this trip of a lifetime, and race for Australia to the best of my ability.”
It will be a busy lead-up for Saunders.
Early next month she heads down to Canberra to race in the Peter Blackshaw Real Estate Junior and Women’s Tour.
Following that is the NSW State Road Race and Time Trial Championships in Sydney.
“After these events have concluded I will be off to Adelaide for the first training camp in preparation for Junior Worlds,” she said.
“While in Adelaide I will also be competing in the International Track Series – my first track race since having gained selection into the Australian team.”
She will also spend a few weeks training down in Wollongong.