ONE year ago today, on July 25 2018, Ellie Souter from Surrey, one of the most progressive Junior Female Snowboard Athletes in Great Britain, took her own life on her 18th birthday in the ski resort of Les Gets, France.
Today, a celebration of Ellie’s life is being held in the French resort, and her memory is living on through a foundation set up by her father Tony Soutter which also announced funding for its second athlete.
Mia Brookes
Snowboarder Mia Brookes, aged 12, from Cheshire, is currently competing in the GB Park and Pipe Squad and is one of the country’s most exciting winter sports talents. The Ellie Soutter Foundation has announced initial sponsorship for Mia to attend a training camp in Austria during the autumn of 2019.
Mia said: “I can’t believe it is 12 months since Ellie’s tragic death. The backing of The Ellie Soutter Foundation will help me to push forward with my snowboarding over the coming years and I hope to make Ellie and everyone involved with the foundation proud!”
Tony Soutter said: “Mia is a fantastic snowboarder and we are delighted to be able to help her on her own journey by providing financial support through The Ellie Soutter Foundation. We wish her all the best for the future and look forward to working with Mia, her family and her team, during the coming months and beyond.”
Ellie Soutter became Vice Champion of the world in the Junior Freeride World Tour in 2017. She was winner of a Bronze medal for Team GB at the 2017 European Youth Olympics and was tipped to be one of GBs strongest contenders for the 2022 winter Olympics amongst other numerous podium finishes throughout Europe and the southern hemisphere.
Ellie Souter
As a junior athlete coming from a family without substantial wealth, Ellie often had to miss out on competing and training through lack of funds. She felt and understood the constant pressure to obtain the necessary funds for her training and events. A full season of required training to maintain this level of competition was in excess of £30,000 annually.
At this time, as a Junior GB athlete, there is minimal or no funding for travel or accommodation and athletes have to pay a subscription for coaching.
Ellie’s family then decided to form The Ellie Soutter Foundation in her memory to help and assist other young winter athletes in similar circumstances.
The foundation’s aim is to help young athletes at all levels with funding for their journeys and ensure they receive the kind of support and training that can help identify mental health issues that can arise from the pressures they are often placed under and help prevent the situation that ultimately led to Ellie Soutter taking her own life on her 18th birthday.
Categories: News