My son is 6 years old and just won a place on the National GB Karate Team which travels to national, European and International Karate competitions throughout the year. He has won many trophies and medals, and is very proud to have gained this achievement.

Unfortunately, most of the funding available is directed towards "priority" sports like football, tennis, gymnastics, sailing etc... and we've had a difficult time getting money for Karate related activities.

The Karate Team will be competing in the Dominican Republic in January 2006 against the some of the world's best karate Teams. Regrettably, it is going to cost each competator over £2000.00 to attend!!!!! (and this is just ONE of the many competition fees!)

My question is this: does anyone know of any businesses or governing bodies who might be willing to sponsor my son? Or furthermore, his karate team? Without this funding, he will not be able to go to the Goodwill Games in the Dominican Republic. (website is http://www.wcoaa.org/).

I am not asking YOU personally, just asking for help locating possible avenues for funding. I have tried the National Lottery, Sport England and UK Sport, but again the money often goes to the priority sports.

Your help is greatly appreciated! Thank you so very much for your time!! :clap:

congratulations to your son, quite an achievement at just 6!

The main thing I can suggest is to put a press release together and distribute it amongst the local newspapers in the area. Newspapers are always on the look out for local achievements and this fits the bill. This won't raise £2K but will help raise awareness.

Any company that sponsors you would want something in return, normally and endorsement of their services. There are plenty of companies that would sponsor kids football teams.

Your best bet is for donations. Some companies / businesses have community programmes, however much of this goes to charities. Personally I think you would need to organise an event, a fun day, one which would raise money and raise awareness of karate. Especially now as there is so much emphasis on getting children fit.

I hope this helps, let us know how you get on.

Its strange that martial arts do have such a low profile in terms of funding, coverage etc when you look at the amount of people that do it - half the posts in this section are about martial arts, there must be 50+ busy martial arts clubs in and around Sheffield alone - probably as many as there are football teams - and yet it's almost completely ignored as a sport!

Good luck to your son anyway, I hope you find someone willing to back him - raising awareness would definitely be a good start!

try some of the various online martial arts suppliers.
eg. karate-kid.co.uk
crackedfinger.com
blitz