We Love Manchester supports Kizzy with a £2,000 grant to pursue her basketballing dreams.
Kizzy is an extremely gifted young girl from Hulme who is already doing big things. Not many 16 year olds can say they’ve represented their area in national competition, but Kizzy can say that and a lot more! Not only does she play for Manchester Mystics, the biggest women’s basketball team in Manchester and the only WBBL team in the North West, but she’s also represented England in international competition! Before Coronavirus hit, Kizzy was named in the initial squad list for Great Britain U16, showing she’s a special talent, with dreams of attending a basketball college in the USA and playing professionally.
As a result of her incredible talent & work ethic, Kizzy is one of only 50 female students in England who has been given a place on the Diploma In Sporting Excellence Programme basketball programme. DiSE is designed for 16-19 year olds that have the realistic potential to gain a professional career in the sport. It is a two-year programme where student athletes receive additional support and guidance for their basketball development and education. The 2 year course will provide her with BTEC/A Level equivalent qualifications & a Level 2 coaching certificate.
She has been accepted onto this course at Oaklands College’s Basketball Academy, down South in St Albans. This is campus-based learning, which is ideal for Kizzy’s individual needs and the best place for her to develop and flourish not just in her skills but also into adulthood. This placement comes with a big financial cost which, for a young working class Black girl from Manchester with limited resources, would often mean the end of the story. However with a supportive family around her, and the existence of our Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund, she’s now started her course down at Oaklands, and we wish her all the best! We provided her the maximum grant of £2,000 towards the cost of attending Oakland College.
In Kizzy’s own words:
“Dear Funders, I am writing to you to thank you so much for contributing to my college funds. The money you have given me will go towards the cost of my accommodation, kit and activities put on by the college to support my development as a player. This money will mean so much to me and my family because without your help I couldn’t attend an elite academy. I have been selected for the GB U18’s women’s basketball development programme. Attending Oaklands College will provide all the support I need educationally and socially to pursue my ambition of playing basketball at the highest level nationally and internationally. Kind Regards, Kizzy.”
We’ll be watching Kizzy from the sidelines, and are so proud to have supported her at this stage of her journey. Kizzy, you are definitely a Manchester Rising Star!
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