Business helps athlete chase her dream

Toowoomba business happy to sponsor young athlete

HELPING HAND: Toowoomba businessman Neil Mansell says he's proud to support steeplechase athlete Brielle Erbacher by reducing her travel costs when she competes in Sydney and Melbourne. Picture: Bev Lacey

ATHLETICS: A newly formed "partnership” will help Brielle Erbacher put her best foot forward in Sydney next week.

The steeplechase athlete will line-up in the Sydney Track Classic fit, confident and more importantly free of the physical strain of a long road trip to the New South Wales capital.

When accepting her Sports Darling Downs 2018 Senior Rookie of the Year award last Saturday, Brielle Erbacher spoke of the biggest hurdle she faces when competing - travel.

Accompanied by her mother and coach Jody, Brielle is often forced to drive to competitions in Sydney and Melbourne

It was a problem Mansell Transport owner Neil Mansell moved swiftly to solve.

"I was very impressed by Brielle when she spoke at the dinner,” Mansell said.

"She struck me as a humble, gutsy young lass and it really caught my attention when she talked about having to drive to Sydney and Melbourne to compete.

"I thought this a problem we can solve pretty easily by helping her fly to these events.”

The decision to help the 19-year-old who ranked number three in the world under-23 competition last year was also based on the fact that he "could,” according to Mansell.

"We employ nearly 700 people but we wouldn't be able to do that without the continued support of Toowoomba,” he said.

"When I attend the Sports Darling Downs events I always gobsmacked by the number of great athletes the region produces.

"Everyone of them has is determined and has a dream and I want to help them if I can.”

Sports Darling Downs Senior Rookie of the Year Brielle Erbacher speaks to the award night crowd after her win. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Mansell's support is both a major relief and a surprise for the young apprentice who runs up to 50km a week in practice.

"It's absolutely amazing. It means I won't be held back by the strain of travel now,” Erbacher said.

"I'll be able to focus more on competing as best I can.

"And then there's all the little things that will make a difference - like being able to cook a good meal before I race and not worrying about how much time I'm taking off work.”

The timing of support comes at a good time for Erbacher who will face stiff competition next weekend.

"The new points ranking system means a lot of the Olympic hopefuls will be competing now,” she said.

"My goal is just to run as hard as I can.

"I'd love to make an Australian team again one day if I can.”

For Sports Darling Downs president Mick Smith, it's another moment he will cherish.

"When she (Brielle) was walking off stage, Neil told me he wanted to help her,” Smith said.

"He asked me to make sure she got in contact with him so he could arrange that.

"What really makes proud though is the fact I know if it wasn't her it would've been someone else he decided to help.

"Our sponsors are all fantastic people, so generous and willing to help.

"We've supported some great athletes over the years because of that generosity.”

Originally published as Business helps athlete chase her dream