Local company helps Abby get to South Africa for the U21 Indoor Netball World Cup

After months of trials and training, elite athlete Abby Miles from Swindon, has been selected to play in South Africa for the England Netball U21 team – and digital marketing agency Smarter Media are helping her get there.

Abby will be taking part in the World Cup championship in Cape Town, South Africa in August. She will play a defensive position in the tournament between Sunday August 4 and Saturday August 10. 

However to get to South Africa Abby needs to raise £3,000 to fund her ticket and her stay. She contacted local Swindon companies asking for sponsorship and Smarter Media were pleased to help.

Robert Curtis, operations director of Smarter Media, said: “Abby’s achievement is to be admired – we are all quite sporty in our office and I was impressed by her persistence and passion for her sport. We’ve donated £500 towards her trip and we will be keeping in touch to see how it goes. We’re proud to support someone who is out there putting Swindon on the map.” 

Abby, aged 20, said: “I’m delighted and honoured to have been selected as one of 13 girls to represent England U21 in the Indoor Netball World Cup in my chosen sport, it’s an achievement. It’s been a lot of hard work but I am thankful to all those who’ve supported me along the way, especially Smarter Media – this company didn’t know me yet have not hesitated in taking me under their wing.”

All sponsorship and donations will pay towards the costs of flights, accommodation and travel, as well supporting Abby’s many preparation training sessions and weekend camps leading up to the event.

“I’m very thankful to be receiving financial support from local businesses to help with this tour. Without their support it would be a struggle to find the money myself.”  

Abby started playing netball aged eight. She then joined a club when she started at Lydiard Park Academy. The club didn’t have a child section so Abby played and trained with the senior team. 

“I love playing competitively and I love the teamwork aspect of the game. I’ve never been to South Africa and I believe that Cape Town is a lovely place, this is a lifetime opportunity. I will continue to work hard in trying to achieve Gold for England.”

To find out more about Abby visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/abby039s-journey-to-indoor-netball-world-cup