Proven medal-winning athletes from four different sports teamed up today to meet Team Bath’s new partner MJ Church.
(From left) Tom Church, Sophie Kamlish, Ben Staff, Piers Gilliver, Stephen Baddeley, Jay Lelliott, Jess Church and Rachel Shaw (Photo: Sam Farr Matchtight)
With 50 days to Rio falling tomorrow (Wednesday), the news that Team Bath has a backer prepared to support grass-roots through to the elite was a significant boost to the whole family of sports based at the University of Bath Sports Training Village.
World no. 1 wheelchair fencer, Piers Gilliver, who is seeking a podium spot at the Rio Paralympic Games said: “Knowing that companies like MJ Church are supporting you, gives you confidence and time to focus on training. It’s a big help and shows that other people believe in you.”
Tom Church, director at MJ Church, said: “Team Bath already has a fabulous track record of supporting organisations and individuals in sport to succeed. We are delighted to be joining that team and particularly pleased to back young athletes and the exciting depth and breadth of sport and well-being activities that happen at Team Bath.”
Rachel Shaw, from the Team Bath netball squad, said: “Even players at England level in my sport struggle to combine the hours of training with supporting themselves. People like the team from MJ Church can make a difference.”
Working with Team Bath, MJ Church will support a number of sporting ambassadors who will help bring the partnership to life and encourage others to take up sport, get or stay fit or to move from being a development athlete to national squads.
Stephen Baddeley, Director of Sport at the University of Bath, said: “This is an exciting new partnership. MJ Church will be involved in everything we do from our Tribe activities for young children through to backing a number of the rising stars across our family of sport.”
Formed in 1974 MJ Church is one of the region’s largest Civil Engineering, Plant, Transport and Waste Management Contractors in the South West of England.
Based in Marshfield, the company has a reputation for its quality of service and straightforward and professional approach.
Chairman Mike Church, Company Secretary Paula Church and Operations Director Ben Staff have been at the heart of brokering the new partnership with Team Bath. MJ Church emphasised its passion for sport and general well-being and building winners with the region’s young athletes.
Today’s meet and greet at the Sports Training Village saw staff and vehicles from MJ Church lining up on the start-line with the athletes to mark the start of the new relationship.
London 2012 Paralympic sprinter Sophie Kamlish, who is targeting a place at Rio 2016, said: “It’s great for the athletes based here at the University of Bath to know they have that support from MJ Church as they train and compete.”
Fellow athlete Dave King, who has set the Olympic qualifying time in the 110m hurdles, added: “It has been lovely to meet the team from MJ Church today. The support they provide will be a great asset to Team Bath and the athletes based here.”
Swimmer Jay Lelliott, a World University Games champion and Sports Performance student who is targeting the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, said: “I love the new kit with the MJ Church branding on it. Their assistance and support going forward will be great for all at Team Bath.”
Report courtesy of the Team Bath Press Office at Matchtight Ltd.
