GREATH LENGTHS OF SUPPORT. Avonbourne Trust is getting behind Sixth Form student and long jump star Patrick Sylla (centre) as he embarks on an international sporting career. Here he is pictured with younger children from the Trusts schools: Avonwood Primary, Avonbourne College and Harewood College holding a tape measure of 7.61m length – Patrick’s longest jump.
A Bournemouth college is urging the whole community to get behind a student who is set to make his debut on the world stage of athletics.
Avonbourne Trust is sponsoring sixth former and long jumper Patrick Sylla as he prepares to propel himself into the international limelight in the World Junior Athletics Championships in Poland.
And the Trust is urging the whole of Bournemouth to get behind Patrick as he embarks on a path that could lead to the Olympics.
CEO of Avonbourne Trust, Debbie Godfrey-Phaure, said: “We have watched Patrick with immense pride ever since he took up the long jump and athletics when he was a 13 year-old at Harewood College.
“Now studying A-levels at Avonbourne Sixth Form, Patrick has broken record after record and is now moving up to the next level of junior international tournaments.
“At just 17 he has qualified for the World Juniors where he will be pitting himself against the very best young athletes in the world.
“We want to do all we can to help him succeed and we would love to hear from any local businesses or organisations that would like to back this very talented young man.”
GREATH LENGTHS OF SUPPORT. Avonbourne Trust is getting behind Sixth Form student and long jump star Patrick Sylla (centre) as he embarks on an international sporting career. Here he is pictured with younger children from the Trusts schools: Avonwood Primary, Avonbourne College and Harewood College.
Patrick currently holds the record UK jump for his age – an impressive 7.61m (around 25 feet or longer than the width of a football goal) – and is also the UK Schools’ U17 champion.
Now he leaves behind the youth competitions for the much tougher junior rounds where he will be competing against men up to three years older than him.
And he flies out to Poland on Sunday (July 17) for his first junior internationals – and it’s the World’s.
“I’m honoured to be representing Great Britain at the World Juniors,” Patrick said.
“I will be one of the youngest there because in this country you move up to juniors when you are 17 but in other countries it is 18.
“So my main aim is to qualify for the finals and that would just be amazing.”
As well as being a highly talented athlete Patrick is also an academic star.
He combines his regular training with Bournemouth Athletics Club with studying for three A-levels in Economics, English Literature and PE.
And he seems destined for a life on the world-stage.
As well as competing across the world one day Patrick would like to work in international relations.
“It’s not easy attracting sponsorship or funding a sporting career as a young athlete,” Patrick reflected.
“So I am thrilled everyone at Avonbourne Trust is getting behind me this way.”
The IAAF World U20 Championships will be held in Bydgoszcz, Poland from July 19-24.
Any businesses, individuals or organisations interested in contributing to the sponsorship fund for Patrick can contact Kathryn Loughnan at Avonbourne Trust on 01202 398451 or email kathryn.loughnan@avonbournetrust.org
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