To be selected for a scholarship from the Tania Dalton foundation means so much to me. Tania was an amazing sportswoman and it is an honour to be part of the first group of scholarship recipients for the foundation. The scholarship has been a huge help for me and my family to help with the costs of tennis. Most importantly I have also been given the tools to learn to be the best you can be. Having my mentor Adine Wilson by my side has been amazing. Although netball and tennis are different sports, they require many of the same disciplines both on and off the court. It’s comforting knowing that Adine understands the pressure and is always there to look out for me and support me along the way.
I have learned so many new things whilst being a part of the foundation which includes the power of giving back. I was fortunate enough to spend a week at a holiday programme set up by the foundation for young girls who have want to try out a range of sports. Whilst helping at the holiday programme I saw the excitement, drive, and eagerness to learn that these girls showed. Looking back, I was very much like these girls at their age, eager to show the world what I have. After the holiday programme was over, we realised that one of the girls aspired to be a tennis player. At that moment in time, she didn’t have the equipment needed to play, as a result, the foundation and this young girl kept in contact and I was able to give her some of my gear so she could play. In a way, I was a mentor to this young girl much like Adine Wilson is to me. To me, this is what the foundation is all about, giving back and empowering young women to follow their dreams. Being surrounded by a bunch of girls who back and empower one another to be the best that we can be.
