The Chelsea Project Breakfast Event - Wrap up

How can I even begin to explain how amazing The Chelsea Project Breakfast Event was last Friday November 20^th? It was better than I ever could have expected! Such an incredible group of supporters came out to help me make a difference. The Chelsea Project is about helping Australian’s who have overcome adversity in sport to believe in themselves and their dreams. It also plays a critical role in raising funds to help me achieve my ultimate dream of representing Australia at the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro next year. 

The morning started off with a lot of excitement as my beautiful horse Holstein Park Comedian came to be a part of the breakfast at the Regatta Hotel as well! There were some funny looks coming my way because my horse (and would you believe it my very pink horse truck) were standing in the car-park of the Regatta hotel.

Everyone who attended the breakfast was greeted at the front entrance for photos with Comedian and me if they wanted to. Comedian thoroughly enjoyed it as he is quite the poser!

Once everyone was seated in the magnificent Boatshed at the Regatta the more formal side of things got under way! First up was my presentation; where I spoke about my accident, my journey and my dreams for what I want to achieve and how I am thankful for all of the support I continually receive.

Next up was a Q&A session with our panel; me, my coach Alexandra Berns and an experienced sports psychologist Damien Stewart. We answered questions about managing stress in sport; and the challenges associated with disabilities and the affect this can have on an athlete. I talked about how I manage emotions and stress whilst competing; about my routine whilst in competition mode and how I maximise my performance in light of my disabilities. There were so many great take-outs not just for athletes but for everyone in the room.

The most exciting part of the morning for me was meeting the two beautiful girls who are the first two recipients of The Chelsea Project; Sidney Hunwick and Mackenzie Boundy. Sidney received two years of personalized sessions with Damien the Sports Psychologist, to support her in managing and overcoming her pre-competition anxiety that have affected her performance since a serious fall from her horse in 2014. I really do hope that by giving Sidney this grant it will help her to achieve her dreams of competing at an elite level.

The second recipient was Mackenzie; who received an Equissage machine valued at $7,500, thanks to the kind and generous, continued support of my sponsor Equissage. My horses love their Equissage everyday and I just know that this machine will help Mackenzie and her horse improve their performance and not to mention comfort, which will help to bring them one step closer to their dreams.

I am off to my first Australian based selection event in Werribee in a few weeks, then off to Boneo in VIC mid January for the second selection event and a few days after I return I am off with my coach Alex to Europe to ride two of her horses to campaign for the European based selection events for the Rio Paralympics.

Thank you to everyone who made the event happen. To the Regatta, my dearest mother, friends, family and supporters, thank you for believing in me, supporting me and continuing to give me the strength to do what I do everyday, which takes me one step close to me achieving my lifelong dream of representing Australia at the Paralympic Games

If you think you or anyone you know might be eligible to be a recipient; someone who has overcome adversity or is facing challenges in their chosen sport, please submit nominations at my website www.chelseahiggins.com.au.

I would love to help as many young Australians as I can achieve their dreams and reach for the stars no matter how hard or tough times get!

That’s all from me for now!

Thanks again, love Chelsea xo