Douglas's Olympic Training Dream

Hi, my name is Douglas Gerber, I'm a 15 year old boy with a big dream, I was born right here in Auckland, New Zealand and I have been skating since I was 9 years old, It all began during the holidays were I was needing to go to a holiday program but I didn't want to be away from my mum. At the time she was working out west around the Avondale area. We couldn't find a holiday program I liked doing, so the closest thing to my mum's work was an ice skating rink, 10 minutes away. I still didn't want to go no matter how close it was to her work, but my mum said “Douglas you need to try a new skill “ so I just dealt with it. She signed me up and I started the holiday program. During one of the public sessions at Avondale ice rink, there was this guy named Shawn, he was one of the best figure skaters for New Zealand and when I saw what he was doing I was like “wow” that's amazing and I wanted to be just like him. That following afternoon when mum came and picked me up I told her everything. How I saw this guy and I wanted to skate just like him. I even had the elbow bruises to show her, trying to copy what he was doing on the ice. Mom was really happy I was starting to like a sport so she signed me up for lessons with the skate school program. At one of the first lessons I was getting really mad because they weren't teaching me all the jumps and spins, I did not want to learn how to save myself from falling because I knew that I was going to fall no matter what. I kept on complaining to my mum during that week that I wanted to quit but she wouldn't let me, she always told me “Dougie you have to finish what you started” so well you know what I had to carry on to complete the term, I didn't have a choice. And since then, I do not want to get off the ice - I love it. That is the story on how I started skating.

In order for me to chase my ultimate dream of one day representing New Zealand in the Olympics I am needing to attend training camps and competitions overseas, mainly in the northern hemisphere. These camps will give me the opportunity to train among the top level skaters on Olympic Ice with Coaches which approach techniques from a different angle, and can help elevate my skating skills in various ways.

Should I be fortunate enough to raise the funds, I have been invited along to a camp in Colorado during April, along with a few of my skating colleagues on a 3 week camp which includes on and off ice training. This would be a very intensive time which would push me beyond my limits to elevate my skating skills. This is one of only a few camps around the world and attending any one of them would be a golden opportunity.

So that you can better understand the path that needs to be followed, I will briefly outline the series of events that I need to follow:

In June this year I will need to achieve the required score to attend a Junior Grand Prix. This is a series of competitions held every year where all the top level skaters go to compete. New Zealand is allocated 2 spots - therefore only the top 2 skaters get the honour of going (men and woman's divisions are separate)

A required score at any one of these events will qualify me to enter the Junior World's held once a year. The standard of skating at these events is really high and thus any additional training would be hugely beneficial.

To give you a brief understanding of what my level of skating is at the moment -

I have been skating in the Advance Novice Men's division and recently moved into the Junior catagory. I have been holding my New Zealand nationals title for 4 years in a row and for the last 3 years have I been competing in Australia

2016 Hollins Trophy, Sydney (2nd) NZ Nationals (1st) Australia Nationals (2nd)

2017 Hollins Trophy, Sydney (1st) NZ Nationals (1st) Australia Nationals (1st)

2018 Hollins Trophy, Sydney (1st) NZ Nationals (1st) Australia Nationals (1st)

To dateI have only skated in New Zealand and Australia and this training camp should help me get past Australia and to go all over the world.

Last year my parents and I had to make a decision on whether I wanted to take skating seriously or not, I said this is my dream and passion I want to go to the Olympics. In order to ensure I am able to spend more time on the ice I am attending a distance education program. This allows me to skate 3 times a day most days and every alternate day there is gym and off ice training which is to help develop core strength needed for skating. As with all sports, training goes beyond the rink, there is a need to develop mental strength and also a sound nutritional program. All of this is requiring an enormous amount of time and funds. I am doing everything I can with regards to time, however the costs associated with the sport have risen to a point where I am needing some help please.

My parents and family support me 100% and have given and still are giving as much as they can with regards to training at home as well as Australia.

Figure skating is my passion. I am hard-working and dedicated.

Thank you for taking the time to read my page, and for considering to help me chase my dreams.