Lauren Evans
League:
Women's Australian Gridiron League (WAGL)
State / Area:
QLD / Metro
Funding Requested
$1500
Voting has now finished.
Recipients will be announced on 6th June 2016.
About Lauren Evans
Based on the Gold Coast, Lauren plays quarterback and is captain for the championship winning Gold Coast Stingrays Women's Gridiron Team (American Football). She is also quarterback for the QLD Sundevils Women's Team, competing in the 2016 Women's Australian Gridiron League. Lauren recently attended the first ever Australian Outback Women's National Team Training Camp and has been invited back to the Selection Camp to play quarterback for the Australian Outback Women's National Team, competing in the Women's World Championship in 2017 in Europe. Lauren started playing gridiron in 2012 with a goal to one day lead the first ever Australian Women's team. She currently plays at the State and National level and hopefully next year, the international level.
Value to the Individual
Since attending my first training session with the Gold Coast Stingrays in 2012, American Football has become a major part of my life. In my 4 years of playing I have never missed a training session and spend my spare time studying game film or in the gym, training to prepare for the intense nature of the game. My passion for my sport has extended off the playing field, holding the voluntary position of Vice President for my club. I have my Level 1 Coaching Accreditation, and coach the Gold Coast Stingrays Youth Football Program for kids aged 7-14 years. My aim through my sport is to act as a role model for the younger players on my team, as well as grow the game of gridiron amongst females across Australia to demonstrate the empowering feeling participation in the sport brings.
Why the funds are needed
Gridiron receives no government funding in Australia, as such all levels of gridiron are player paid. With gridiron being called a 'collision' sport, insurance is high, as well as the cost of high grade protective equipment. Club level fees are approximately $450 per season. This year, participation in the Queensland representative team costs each player $1,075. The upcoming Australian Outback Women's National Team Selection Camp will cost $900, as did the recent Training Camp. We have been advised that if we are to make the squad of 45 players selected to represent Australia, it will cost approximately $8,000 each to attend. We will also be required to purchase a specific helmet, in the Australian colours, at an approximate cost of $300. I currently hire my protective shoulder pads from my club, but am looking to purchase my own, at a cost of $150. Any funding received would contribute towards my goals of playing representative gridiron for Australia by covering some of the cost of player fees, as well as allowing me to purchase sport specific training equipment to help me to prepare to be the best at my sport.
Links
Lauren's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lozevansQB7/
Gridiron Queensland website: http://www.gridironqueensland.com
Gridiron Australia: http://gridironaustralia.org.au
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