COOMA track and field athlete, Matilda Wilson, has had an eventful couple of months.
In May the 14-year-old achieved a Monaro High School discus record by throwing 28.49 metres at the school's athletics carnival and narrowly missed the long standing shot put school record set in 1996.
Last week she received news she has secured a $1500 sponsorship from McDonald's Cooma to assist with the massive fundraising campaign her family is behind to enable Matilda the opportunity to compete in Canada at two track and field meets.
The previous Monaro High School discus record in under 14 girls discus 1kg was 26.85 metres. Matilda said she was elated at the result, and appreciated the support from all her age group cheering on from the sidelines.
She also gained first place in under 14 girls shot put 3kg registering a 9.26 metre put, missing the record by only 0.59cm. Matilda has thrown over the school record distance (9.85m) in training, but said she wasn't too disappointed at not breaking the record as she was still stoked about her discus result.
Latest Stories
She has set her goal to beat the record for next year.
In addition, Matilda placed first in under 14 girls high jump of 1.40m, marginally missing 1.45m. This is a personal best in competition, having jumped 1.47m in training; first in long jump (even though it's not her event) ; second place in javelin with a throw of 21.50, which she said she was slightly disappointed with, however she hasn't been training in this event recently, concentrating on her key events for Canada.
The next competition is in Canada following selection in an Australian contingent to compete at the Jack Brow Memorial meet in Kelowna and the Trevor Craven Memorial track and field meet in Vancouver.
A 'Cans for Canada' fundraising quest swung into operation a couple of months ago, with Matilda's family furiously fundraising to obtain the approximately $10,000 needed to pay for her opportunity to travel overseas.
With more than 22,000 cans/bottles collected and dispensed through the return and earn recycling depot, the amount raised to date is about $2200.
Last week McDonald's Cooma contacted the family to contribute $1500 in sponsorship, which has been very gratefully received.
"It might pay for an airfare for you," new manager, Hayley Sumanovic, said.
Other sponsors include the Cooma Lions Club ($500), Cooma Monaro Race Club ($500), Monaro Tyre Power ($500), Berridale Pets Holiday Lodge ($100) and Coles Cooma ($100).
"About a dozen individuals have also donated differing amounts to help Matilda, totalling $4180," Mum, Tonya Evans, said.
"A huge thank you to all these sponsors and donors, as we wouldn't be going it it wasn't for them.
"In total about $6380 has been raised," Tonya said on Monday.
"We thought when we first started if we could raise half of Matilda's costs that would be amazing, and truly, at the time I didn't think we would get there, but I was hopeful.
"And here we are now with more than half!"
An excited Matilda is looking forward to the competition in Canada, despite the nerves building as the event gets closer.
A week after Matilda returns to Cooma, she will be competing at the NSW South Coast Schools Sports Association Regional Championships in Wollongong, and the winners will progress to compete at Olympic Park in Sydney in the State Championships.
With two weeks to go until Matilda leaves for Canada, the family is still collecting cans and bottles for cash. Anyone who would like to donate can contact Tonya, on 0490 026 409.
"A huge shout out to the local community, they have been totally committed to Matilda's journey," Tonya said.
"We are incredibly humbled by the support, and kind wishes from people who have messaged me. We couldn’t have done it without them, thank you."
