Scholarship in Jaxon’s sights
UP and coming basketball ace Jaxon Wroe, aged 15, has his eyes firmly focused on one goal, a basketball scholarship that will take him to Europe or America and enable him to pursue his passion for the sport.
Having already been called up for the England Under 15s team, he’s preparing to travel to Copenhagen to compete at an international tournament in June.
Jaxon, who lives in Reddish, is doing everything he can to get himself in the frame for a prized scholarship. However, according to mum Sharon, talent and commitment are not the only critical factors in realising your potential in sport.
“Jaxon is driven about what he wants to achieve and this year we’ve travelled all over the country, to London, Nottingham and Sheffield, to enable Jaxon to participate in England training camps, and that’s on top of 20 hours training and playing in Manchester each week, Sharon explained.
“He is so focused on his end goal that with his achievements comes a significant financial implication for the family.
“We have been very lucky to have secured some important funding to enable us to fully support him.”
Jaxon’s family applied to the David Hopkins Foundation last year for a contribution towards the cost of supporting Jaxon.
They received £500 which has been a huge help in meeting their travel costs as well as buying essential sports gear such as footwear, training kit and basketballs.
Sharon continued: “The funding really does make all the difference.
“The application process was easy and we are very grateful to the staff at all of Stockport’s Life Leisure facilities, whose efforts raise the money for the Foundation.
“I want them to know that they are giving Jaxon the chance to follow his dream.”
Jaxon took up the sport at the age of eight at the local Sport For All Centre and became completely hooked.
At 11 he joined the highly successful Manchester Magic Club who this season have won two National Championships at Under 15s and Under 16s.
Thanks to the excellent coaching programme and intense training schedules at the Amaechi Basketball Centre, Jaxon feels that he is really developing his potential.
“Basketball is a massive part of my life,” he said. “I train at game speed every single session with some of the best players in the country and that will only help me continue to improve.
“If I’m not at the Amaechi Centre training, I’m either at home practicing my shooting and ball handling skills or working out at Life Leisure to improve my strength and conditioning.
“This season has been amazingly successful but now my goal is to try and follow in the footsteps of numerous other Magic players that have earned College Scholarships in the States.”
Mandy Waller from the Life Leisure David Hopkins Foundation said: “The Foundation supports a cross section of sports and physical activity causes, from talented individuals like Jaxon to organisations and charities who may require equipment or training to help groups of people access or improve sports provision.
“Our mandate is simply to encourage people to participate in their chosen sport or physical activity.
“The Foundation accepts applications from individuals living in Stockport or registered charities or clubs that are based in the Stockport Borough for amounts up to £500 for individuals and £1,000 for clubs.
“We will be keeping a watching brief on Jaxon’s progress and wish him and his family the best of luck in pursuit of his sporting ambitions.”
If you would like to apply for funding for your activity or project from the David Hopkins Foundation please visit lifeleisure. net/ enterprise/ charity or call 0161 482 0900.