Sponsorship Proposal : May 2014
About Phil Welch
I am 45 year old asthmatic endurance mountain biker seeking sponsorship to enable me to become an ambassador for asthma and demonstrate to the millions of asthmatics what can be achieved with sensible and controlled asthma management. Through my blog and website (and hopefully a magazine publication), I will endeavour to provide hope and inspiration to the millions of asthma suffers around the world.
After nearly five years of successfully racing mountain bikes, without medication, I intend to publicise this achievement by entering stage races all around the world. After successfully negotiating the infamous Crocodile Trophy in Queensland, Australia in 2013, my next major venture will be in Poland and the Czech Republic in the Sudety Mountain Bike Challenge, followed by the GENCO Mongolia Bike Challenge in September and possibly a return to the Crocodile Trophy at the end of the year.
I played semi–professional rugby league in England, France and Australia until the age of thirty as well as competing in indoor bouldering and surf life-saving at a National level in Australia.
I started racing mountain bikes in November 2009 at the Fat Tyre Festival, Ourimbah, NSW and was 3rd in age and 15th overall. Since then I have been on the winner’s podium 24 times with my results getting progressively more successful as I become fitter and adapt to the intricacies of racing. I have completed nine 24 hour solo events including 3 World and 3 National Championships.
In May 2012, I finished 2nd at the World Endurance Mountain Bike Organization’s (WEMBO) 24 hour 40-44 Solo at Finale Ligure in Italy. In the Australian National 24 hour I finished 2nd in 2012 and 2013. In 2013, I won the Rocky Trail 7 hour Masters Solo Series and in 2011, I became the Chocolate Foot Singletrack Mind Masters Solo Series Champion. I finished 2013, by successfully participating in the Crocodile Trophy Stage Race in Northern Queensland and finished 5th in the 40+ age category.
I train at least 6 days a week and usually average between 15-20 hours and 400-500 km.
Target Audience
I have to stress that asthma varies significantly between individuals, ranging from mild to severe and with a multitude of triggers. No two people are the same, and their response to medication or training will vary wildly. However, it is a common theme of Asthma Foundations, asthma research and individual experience that engaging in positive steps, such as exercise, will lessen the reliance on medication and lead to positive, physiological changes. My life is considerably richer for the steps I have taken to improve my lung function and I am more comfortable (and far healthier) now that I have virtually eliminated my reliance on all forms of medication.
Benefits to Foundation
As an English teacher, I am articulate and able to speak and write effectively. I am a polite person on and off the track and I am well liked within the mountain bike and wider community.
I have had articles, regarding the Crocodile Trophy, published on the Flow Magazine website and in the latest edition of Enduro Magazine. I recently published an in-depth article outlining asthma and my own personal journey titled: Successfully Living with Asthma - Improving the Quality of Life through Exercise and Respiratory Muscle Training, Resulting in Virtual Elimination of Asthmatic Medication.
Furthermore, I would like to align my message of self help in the management of asthma with the credibility of an Asthma Foundation. As a Sports Science Graduate, a qualified Personal Trainer and Secondary School PE and English teacher currently working in the Health and Wellness industry I have the knowledge and expertise to encourage others around me. I am highly motivated and strive to be on the cutting edge of training and nutrition and I feel this can only help to positively influence those around me.
I support a healthy and active lifestyle and actively encourage others, both young and old, to engage in a similar lifestyle.
Contact Information
Name: Phil Welch
Nationality: British / Australian Citizen
Occupation: English Teacher and Health & Fitness Academic Skills Lecturer, Australian College of Natural Therapies, 235 Pyrmont Street, 2009
Address: Fairlight, NSW 2094, Australia
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.philwelchmtb.com
Qualifications: Fitness Instruction & Personal Training Certificate (1998)
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFLA) – Grade B, London, England (1995)
Post Graduate Certificate in Education (P.E. & History), Loughborough University, England (1995)
Bsc (Hons) Physical Education & Sports Science – Class2i, Loughborough University, England (1989-92)
Internet Links
Sram Singletrack Mind NSW Enduro Series (2012). Retrieved from
http://www.chocolatefoot.com.au/singletrack-mind-series/results
Welch, P. (2014). Phil Welch - Endurance Mountain Biker - Successfully Living with Asthma. Retrieved from
http://www.philwelchmtb.com/going-solo-blog.html
References
Provided On Request.
Significant Results
2nd : Rocky Trail 7 hour Masters Solo, James Estate, NSW (Apr 26, 2014)
3rd : Rocky Trail 7 hour Masters Solo, Awaba, NSW (Mar 29, 2014)
2nd : Dusk Til Dawn Team of 3, Tamworth, NSW (Feb 15, 2014)
2nd : AMB 100 Miler, Mt. Stromlo, ACT (Feb 9, 2014)
1st : Rocky Trail 6+6 Masters Solo, Mt. Annan, NSW (Dec 30 2013 - Jan 1 2014)
3rd : SRAM Singletrack Mind Series Rd 4 Masters Solo, Welby, NSW (Nov 3, 2013)
5th : Crocodile Trophy Stage Race, Queensland (Oct 19-27th, 2013)
3rd : SRAM Singletrack Mind Series Rd 3 Masters Solo, Awaba, NSW (Sept 29, 2013)
*1st Overall Rocky Trail Masters Solo 7 hour Series Champion (2013)*
1st : Rocky Trail 12 hour Masters Solo, Dargle Farm, NSW (including a prize of a $2600 entry into the Crocodile Trophy) (Aug 10, 2013)
3rd : SRAM Singletrack Mind Series Rd 2 Masters Solo, Coondoo Road, Nowra, NSW (Aug 4, 2013)
2nd : Rocky Trail 7 hour Masters Solo, Mt. Annan, NSW (Jul 13, 2013)
2nd : Rocky Trail 7 hour Masters Solo, Ourimbah, NSW (Jun 15, 2013)
1st : Rocky Trail 7 hour Masters Solo, James Estate Winery, Upper Hunter Valley, NSW (Apr 20, 2013)
2nd : Australian National Solo 24 hour 40-44, Mt. Stromlo, Canberra (Mar 30-31, 2013)
1st : Scott 24 hour Masters Solo, Mt. Stromlo, Canberra (Oct 13-14, 2012)
1st : Rocky Trail 12 hour Masters Solo, Dargle Farm, NSW (Aug 11, 2012)
2nd : WEMBO 24 hour 40-44 Solo, Finale Ligure, Italy (May 19-20, 2012)
2nd : Australian National 24 hour 40-44 Solo, Majura Pines, Canberra (Apr 7-8, 2012)
2nd : Rocky Trail 100 Mile Cruise, Mt. Stromlo, Canberra (Jan 25, 2012)
*1st Overall: Chocolate Foot Singletrack Mind Masters Solo Series Champion (2011)*
1st : Rocky Trail Sydney 24 hour Masters Solo, Mt. Annan, Sydney (Dec 3-4, 2011)
3rd : Scott 24 hour Masters Solo, Mt. Stromlo, Canberra (Oct 8-9, 2011)
3rd : Husky Enduro Masters Solo, Nowra, NSW (Aug 7, 2011)
1st : Rocky Trail 6+6 hour Overall Solo, Wiseman's Ferry, NSW (Feb 5, 2011)
3rd : Fat Tyre Masters Solo, Awaba, NSW (Nov 28, 2010)
12th : 24 hours of Adrenalin World Masters Solo, Mt. Stromlo, Canberra (Oct 9-10, 2010)
5th : Australian National 24 hour Masters Solo, Majura Pines, Canberra (Apr 3-4, 2010)
3rd : Fat Tyre Masters Solo, Ourimbah, NSW (Nov 22, 2009)
